Tide to Table – Hunter Central Rivers
 This program was run over three rounds of funding from 2007-2009 and included on-ground works at 22 project sites, with a total value of approximately $529,194 invested locally. The funding model employed here was similar to the Hawkesbury-Nepean Tide to Table Program, in that it involved targeting works at sites which strategically aimed to address issues that could, or were, impacting negatively on local seafood production. Most importantly, it included the addition of “social knowledge”- information which isn’t necessarily recorded but contained within stories or the minds of fishers, oyster farmers and land farmers. When combined with traditional knowledge and science based data, a good direction emerged in which to lead the steering committee to commit funds.
Project works included:
- Works at four dairy farms to minimise the chance of cow manure reaching rivers, by capturing and using this effluent as a fertiliser to maximise pasture productivity
- Reconstruction of a saltmarsh community at Swansea
- The replacement of four traditional moorings with seagrass friendly units at Dutchmans Bay, Port Stephens
- Cleanup of derelict oyster lease materials from saltmarsh in National Park reserve on Pelican Island, Brisbane Waters
- Supporting landholders and Landcare groups to enhance the riparian zone and stabilise riverbanks through weed control, stock exclusion fencing, the installation of rock fillets and planting of native species
- Restoration of wetland flows and fish passage through blocked channels and culverts at Hexham Swamp
- Production of habitat maps for the coastal catchment including oyster harvest areas
 Communication activities conducted included:
- Production of an educational DVD video
- A number of workshops with the Wild Catch Commercial Fishing sectors
- A major field day with NSW oyster farmers on the Hawkesbury River with Environmental Champion and Best Oyster awards
- A workshop with the Dairy Industry around the Manning River following five one on one on-farm site visits conducted during the NSW DPI Dairy Farmer Targets for Change Program
- A major connectivity tour on the Hunter River linking the issues affecting river users, interested parties and the coal/steel industry
- Production of the resource by T. Gippel, K. Sachs (2009) Harvest area protection guidelines- Healthy estuaries for healthy oysters (NSW DPI).
- A workshop for Local Government on fish habitat in Port Stephens
- Presentations at the Shortlands Wetland Centre
- World Wetlands Day displays at Kooragang Island and the wetlands centre, shortland.
- Displays at Tocal Agricultural Field Days
- Attendance at Hunter Bass Catch events on the Williams River
- Collecting knowledge from fishers and oyster farmers at Crowdy Head, Gosford, Taree, Port Stephens, Foster, Newcastle and the Co operatives where product is sold
- 2008 Hunter river connectivity tour invite (PDF 846KB)
The Tide to Table project provides an effective vehicle for initiating constructive dialogue between land holders and the seafood industry. The ability of Tide to Table to approach environmental issues from an industry perspective is a key factor contributing to the success of the program.
Anthony Zammit Manager, NSW Shellfish Program, NSW Food Authority
Tide to Table – Hunter was a partnership between OceanWatch Australia, NSW Department of Primary Industries (NSW DPI), NSW Farmers Association, NSW Food Authority and the Hunter Central Rivers Catchment Management Authority. Works were funded by the Australian Government through the National Landcare Program, NSW DPI - Recreational Fishing Trust and individual contributions of participants.
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