It is not known where or when the first wild oysters were harvested for sale in the colony of South Australia. It is recorded that Edward John Eyre – the explorer- obtained some for his food supplies at Streaky Bay in 1840.
By 1870 there were 30 sailing cutters of varying length from 25-40 feet dredging in the Coffin, Kellidie and Dutton Bay area, which were the most productive areas in the colony A township known as Oyster Town was established at Kellidie Bay -the residents erecting huts, bringing dogs, cats and horses and anything that was needed to sustain life.
In 1886 Mr Chris Dabovich was appointed Inspector of Oyster Fisheries to oversee operations and collect the annual licence fee of 40 shillings ( $4 ).. He is remembered for his efforts to control overfishing but sadly by then, it was too late. The native oyster fishery was the first fishery to have been exploited by the early settlers of South Australia and was the first to be destroyed by overfishing
