How Australia Overcame Massive Oyster Mortality and What Japan Can Learn

In recent times, the oyster farming industry faced a grim reality when a mass mortality event struck in various regions. This article delves into the methods adopted by Australia to deal with a similar crisis and examines what lessons can be learned for Japan, particularly in light of last fall's alarming deaths of native oysters in the Seto Inland Sea.

The Crisis in Japan

During the previous autumn, various factors such as high water temperatures, elevated salinity levels, and a shortage of food led to a significant die-off of the Japanese Pacific oysters. Industry stakeholders are now grappling with identifying the root causes and implementing improved management practices. A critical component of response strategy involves selective breeding to enhance resilience against environmental stressors in the long run.

Australia's Success Story

In 2016, Australia faced a catastrophic incident with the POMS (Oyster Herpesvirus-1) that devastated its oyster stocks. However, the Australian Seafood Industries (ASI) spearheaded the development of a selective breeding program, leading to a remarkable recovery in production levels. The program emphasizes not only immediate crisis management but also long-term sustainability and growth.

To further bolster oyster farming resilience, ASI has been active since 2020, addressing ongoing mortality issues in South Australia, characterized by unexplained deaths due to unidentified pathogens. ASI's findings posit that, even when the cause remains unknown, proactive measures can be implemented through selective breeding.

The Upcoming Seminar

In light of these insights, SEAPA Japan is set to host a special seminar led by Henry Hewish, General Manager of ASI, titled "How Australia Overcame Massive Oyster Mortality and What Japan Can Learn." Scheduled for August 20, 2026, the event will be part of the Japan International Seafood Show at Tokyo Big Sight.

Participants will gain invaluable knowledge on:
1. Immediate responses during the onset of mortality events.
2. Selective breeding focused on enhancing survival rates.
3. Industry-wide collaborative efforts in breeding practices.
4. Current genomic selection initiatives initiated by ASI.

This seminar aims to impart ASI's findings and experiences to Japanese stakeholders while encouraging a dialogue centered around how Japan can build its own breeding and research frameworks to face similar challenges in the aquaculture sector.

Event Details

- Theme: What Can Be Done About Mass Oyster Mortality—Considering Australia's Selective Breeding for Japan's Future
- Date: August 20, 2026, from 12:00 PM
- Venue: Japan International Seafood Show, Tokyo Big Sight, East Hall, Seminar Area (pre-registration required)
- Speaker: Henry Hewish, General Manager, Australian Seafood Industries
- Participation Fee: Free (with simultaneous interpretation)
- Registration: Interested individuals can register via the SEAPA Japan website.

About SEAPA Japan

Established in 2018, SEAPA Japan is dedicated to promoting single seed oyster farming and advancing the evolution of oyster aquaculture in Japan. Besides selling its breeding materials, it is committed to enhancing quality, efficiency, and stability in Japan's challenging marine industry by importing superior technologies and materials.

Company Contact Information:

- Representative: Yoshimoto Takahiro, President
- Address: 3-8-14 Tenjinbashi, Kita-ku, Osaka, Japan 530-0041
- Website: SEAPA Japan
- Instagram: seapa_japan_oysters
- Facebook: SEAPAJapan