Small oyster grower selling direct to venues

Local restaurants, fishmongers, shops, markets and sometimes visitors buying direct from you.

You sell by the dozen or bulk tray at a higher price than selling to a middleman, and over time you can add more lease area or value-added products.

• Comfortable with physical outdoor work in all weather
• Patience and attention to water and stock health
• Selling and building relationships with buyers

• Aquaculture lease and licence requirements, which differ by state and can take a long time
• Shellfish quality assurance program requirements and water testing, check your state's rules
• Weather, flooding, disease and water quality closures that can stop harvests
• Food business registration for packing and selling, check with your state authority or council
• Months of costs before income, so check your finances can cover the wait

Startup costs are typically estimated at around $40,000 to $200,000, depending on your lease, equipment and setup. There are usually months of costs before the first harvest, so check your finances can cover the wait before you commit.

Monthly revenue is typically estimated at around $3,000 to $15,000, depending on your harvest size, buyers and prices. Income only starts after the first harvest, and weather or water quality closures can stop harvests and sales.

Check aquaculture lease and licence requirements, which differ by state and can take a long time. Also check shellfish quality assurance and water testing rules, plus food business registration for packing and selling, with your state authority or council.