Green Moonlight

Thinking about our environmental impact
We initiated three key operational measures over the past eight years to improve our environmental impact, reduce unfriendly waste and inject some clever thinking into our various farming endeavours.

Floating oyster trays

The first of our initiatives back in 2004 was to surface float our oysters in a carpet of oyster trays on top of the water. We were the first to understand and capture the benefits of this structure, the benefits for the oyster finish and benefits for the estuary hydrology. We even trademarked our brand at the time, the Moonlight En-Surface brand.

Among the many benefits of this method is that it allows the tidal currents to flow unimpeded along the flats bordering the estuary, thus regenerating native seagrass beds, which in turn promote algal food for the oysters.

The transformation over seven years has been impressive. The second key benefit was the removal of many tonnes of old-fashioned hardwood posts and racking and their preservative coatings from the waterway. The new architecture is constructed from long-life plastic held by just two posts at each end of the module.

Oyster shells being crushed and bagged and a crop fertilized with the crushed shells

Oyster shells to fertilizer
Our second innovation has been to transform old oyster shell waste into a granulated lime fertilizer substitute for our broadacre cropping farm. As the pictures show oyster waste goes through the flailing machine and comes out as lime.

We had the product lab tested in 2009 and the results were glowing. We are returning many minerals from ancient inland seabeds back to where they originated.

An ecologically sound shipping box
Our very latest innovation breaks new ground in oyster logistics: the introduction of a designer, reusable and 100% recyclable shipping box, the first ever in the shellfish industry that we know of. Traditional oyster boxes are waxed, which becomes a landfill nightmare. Our new box allows our customers to join the feel-good spirit of doing little bits to help our planet.

Our new recylable shipping box

The response from our customers has been fantastic. We will let them speak for themselves—an email from Darren Sankaradas, Quality and Risk Manager, Sofitel Melbourne on Collins:

Subject: recyclable oyster boxes
Bonjour Steve

Fantastic effort from your company in making a difference to the environment. I applaud your initiative and we at Sofitel Melbourne, first luxury hotel to be ISO 14001 accredited in Australia, welcome the move. I will make sure the boxes are returned and re-used.

Regards
Darren Sankaradas

Environmental innovation is an ongoing passion at The Moonlight Flat Oyster Company, aiming for a greener planet for future generations.

Clair de Lune Sel Saveur®
Our oyster savoury salt is made in the style of traditional French sel saveur, comprising wholly natural ingredients of seaweed, Moonlight Flat Oysters® and sea salt. READ MORE >


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