Police in New South Wales are searching for the perpetrators of an unusually salty crime: the theft of more than 400,000 juvenile Sydney rock oysters from a riverside farm north of Sydney.
The heist took place at Latitude 31 Oyster Co., a farm on the Manning River near Scotts Creek, close to the town of Taree. According to New South Wales police, the stolen molluscs have an estimated total value of Aus$350,000 (about US$250,000).
In a daring night-time operation, the thieves packed more than 300 bags with the young oysters before vanishing. The business called the theft “massive” and said it had triggered a formal police investigation.
Impact on the Industry
“Oyster theft impacts far more than just the individual farmer. It affects our businesses, our families and the reputation of the entire NSW oyster industry,” Latitude 31 Oyster Co. wrote in a social media post. “There are a lot of good people in this industry, and we know farmers look out for each other.”
The theft has hit the farm hard. Grower Ryan Freeman told the Australian Broadcasting Corporation (ABC) that he had lost about a third of his stock.
“We probably get through 35,000 to 40,000 dozen at Christmas time,” Freeman said. “That’s why the thieves would have targeted them because they’re not going to be far off, they’re going to be able to sell them this Christmas. It’s going to have a massive impact.”
Freeman noted that the timing of the theft suggests the perpetrators are aiming to offload the oysters during the busy holiday season, when demand for the brunch and seafood buffet staple spikes.
Public Urged to Watch for Suspicious Oyster Sales
The company has urged the local community to be on the lookout for anyone trying to move, or suddenly coming into possession of, a large quantity of cocktail or bistro-sized oysters. Police have also cautioned members of the public who are offered cheap oysters by unknown vendors to contact authorities immediately or report to the riverside crime scene that has been established.
Authorities have not yet announced any arrests in the case. The investigation remains ongoing, with police working to track down the mollusc marauders and, in the words of the AFP report, facilitate a return of the tasty morsels.
The theft has drawn attention to the vulnerabilities of Australia’s oyster industry, which relies on careful cultivation and long growing cycles. Sydney rock oysters are prized for their rich, creamy flavour and are a fixture of coastal dining across the country.
Source: www.breitbart.com — https://www.breitbart.com/europe/2026/08/26/australian-police-hunt-mollusc-marauders-who-stole-400000-oysters/