The Sydney seafood provedore said the region was set for a big splash on the international seafood scene: “There is no reason Narooma can’t own the rock oyster.” 

“The young growers in particular … they are some of the most passionate growers I have ever met,” Mr Susman said.

“If the region can only harness that energy and passion; (it) could explode on a global stage.”

Mr Susman said he’d been catching, processing, selling, marketing and, particularly, eating seafood for 30 years. He said oysters were unique in taking on the character of their environment and husbandry.

“Just here, the eight or nine estuaries all have different flavours,” Mr Susman told the Fairfax Media at the Narooma Oyster Festival on Saturday, May 5.

“The interesting thing is the nuances between each estuary, and indeed each farmer. 

“We are calling that merroir.

“As the Barossa Valley owns Shiraz and Bundaberg might own rum, there is no reason why Narooma can’t own the rock oyster.”

Mr Susman said the food products produced in the Eurobodalla had an “amazing depth of character” and the endemic rock oysters were something to be proud of.

“Food tourism is such a big thing,” he said.

"Consumers are looking for something unique and different.

Mr Susman said the region should consider an oyster trail: “People can come to the region and explore the differences between the estuaries by flavour.”