Gazander Oysters: Farming with Purpose
In Coffin Bay, a family farm proves that care, community, and sustainability can shape the future of food.
— Steven Thomson
Rooted in Legacy, Grown with Intent
For Steven and Carly Thomson, oyster farming is more than a livelihood, it’s a legacy. Since founding Gazander Oysters in 2002, they’ve built a reputation grounded in care, craft, and an unwavering commitment to the environment. Carly’s connection runs deep: her father helped pioneer oyster cultivation in Coffin Bay. Steven brings an eclectic past, from banking to landscaping to rock lobster fishing, that fuels their distinct blend of tradition and ingenuity.
Together, they don’t just grow oysters. They nurture them.
A Dance with Nature
From a 4mm spat to a harvest-ready oyster two years later, the process is delicate and deliberate. Every shell is monitored, tested, and cared for, a rhythm in sync with the tides and seasons. But at Gazander, quality isn’t the only benchmark. Respect for nature sits at the heart of everything.
With renewable energy, water recycling, and waste reduction fully embedded in their operation, they’ve turned their farm into a model of sustainable aquaculture. And because oysters are natural filter feeders, their very existence helps cleanse waterways. Here, farming becomes regeneration.
The People Behind the Shells
Beyond the sea and science is community. Gazander Oysters isn’t just a family business, it’s a family mindset. Steven and Carly intentionally hire locals who may otherwise struggle to find meaningful work, offering more than jobs: they offer belonging, purpose, and pride.
This care carries through to the plate. Staff often accompany the Thomsons to some of the country’s top restaurants, witnessing firsthand the chefs and diners who savour their oysters. It’s a full-circle moment, from bay to table, from hard work to visible impact.
A Blueprint for Better Food Systems
What the Thomsons have created is more than a successful business. It’s a proof point. A grassroots model for ethical, small-scale farming that puts quality, sustainability, and community on equal footing. Their story reflects what food can be: not just a commodity, but a conduit for connection and change.
By supporting farms like Gazander through HarvestStack, we invest in more than taste, we invest in a better system. One where values lead, people matter, and nature is part of the equation.
