Latest news with #JasonSouth
The Age
10-08-2025
- Business
- The Age
Shellfish farming to be expanded in Port Phillip Bay in Victoria
Wiffen started mussel farming on three hectares of water in 1986 and now farms about 200 hectares together with his son Shane. He said his operation harvests an average of 20 tonnes of mussels a week with the shellfish growing on ropes stretching a total of 300 kilometres. Wiffen said the reputation of mussels from Portarlington, where his business is based, was growing steadily. 'Portarlington mussels are now known around Australia and some parts of the world.' Angasi oysters which Lance and Shane Wiffen are now growing. Credit: Jason South He is also using some of the new water allocation to grow native angasi oysters, which were all but dredged out of existence in Victoria during the 1800s and early 1900s. Wiffen described angasi oysters as more flavoursome, firm and less creamy than other varieties. 'They've got more substance to them,' he said. 'They've got more of a lingering flavour.' Victorian-grown mussels are exported to markets across Asia, including Singapore, Malaysia, Thailand, Japan and the Philippines, as well as to the Maldives. State government officials believe the expanded farming area will help that export industry grow. A worker with a fresh mussel haul. Credit: Jason South Minister for Outdoor Recreation Steve Dimopoulos said Port Phillip's blue mussels were among the best in the world. 'Mussels are healthy, versatile and can be packaged in a variety of ways,' he said. 'That means you can pick them up at supermarket delis or your local fishmonger, and they remain fresh, delicious and affordable for Victorian families.' Seafood Industry Australia chief executive Veronica Papacosta described oyster and mussel farming as 'regenerative aquaculture' that benefited the marine environment. She said Victoria's seafood market could increase tourism particularly among visitors who wanted to feast on fresh produce by the water. Port Phillip Bay ecology expert John Ford said historic oyster and scallop dredging had destroyed much of Port Phillip Bay's hard surfaces beneath the water, resulting in vast quantities of silt on the sea floor. Catch of the day: the state government wants to expand Victoria's mussel industry by allocating new areas of water for farmers. Credit: Jason South 'It's a very changed environment and will require human intervention to get anywhere near where it used to be,' he said. Ford said mussels and oysters acted as cleaners in the marine environment, helping to filter out nutrients introduced by humans into the water. 'Having more mussels and angasi oysters in the bay is increasing the number of species that are native and were present in much higher numbers in the past.' Start the day with a summary of the day's most important and interesting stories, analysis and insights. Sign up for our Morning Edition newsletter.
9 News
19-05-2025
- 9 News
Mushroom cook's phone records under the microscope
Your web browser is no longer supported. To improve your experience update it here Accused killer Erin Patterson's movements in the months before serving a deadly mushroom lunch will be examined as a jury hears evidence about her phone records for a second day. Digital forensic expert Dr Matthew Sorrell is testifying in Patterson's triple-murder trial and has told the jury her phone had pinged near death cap mushroom sites in May 2023. It's alleged she deliberately served her in-laws Don and Gail Patterson, and Gail's sister Heather Wilkinson, a beef Wellington laced with death cap mushrooms on July 29, 2023. Erin Patterson's murder trial continues. (Jason South) Heather's husband Ian also ate the lunch but survived and Patterson has been charged with his attempted murder. She has pleaded not guilty to all of the charges and is on trial in the Victorian Supreme Court in Morwell. Sorrell said analysis of Patterson's phone records showed she was in the vicinity of the Gippsland towns of Outtrim and Loch on May 22, 2023. Dr Matthew Sorrell, a digital forensic science expert. (Jason South) The jury was told a post was published on the iNaturalist science website on May 21, outlining that death cap mushrooms had been located on Neilson Street, Outtrim. Another post on April 18 stated the poisonous mushrooms had been spotted earlier that day at the Loch recreation reserve. Christine McKenzie, who made the April post, told the jury she removed all of the mushrooms because she was worried about the public's safety. The sole survivor of the Leongatha mushroom poisoning lunch, pastor Ian Wilkinson. (Jason South) In her evidence on Monday, McKenzie confirmed she did not return to the reserve although there was a chance more death caps could have grown back. Sorrell told the jury the phone data supported the proposition that Patterson's mobile was near Neilson Street and the Loch recreation reserve on May 22. The digital forensics expert gave evidence for three hours on Monday but is yet to be questioned by Patterson's lawyers. His evidence before Justice Christopher Beale continues today. courts crime murder Victoria Australia national CONTACT US
