Mr. Bob Simmonds

While the state's (South Australia) 150 oyster farmers grow the succulent little morsels, the "dream job" of marketing them often falls to Bob Simmonds.

Mr Simmonds, known to many as Oyster Bob, marketed 18-20 million oysters worth about $8 million from Ceduna, Smoky Bay, Streaky Bay, Coffin Bay and Cowell in 2005.

His company, Simmonds Seafood Marketing Agency, is virtually a marketing arm for many of the state's oyster growers.

It sells, promotes and distributes oysters to markets throughout Australia and overseas, with about 40 per cent of the oysters grown in SA going through his Regency Park coldstores.

Mr Simmonds describes it as his dream job.

"It's the best thing I've ever done in my life," he said.

"It involves dealing with a lot of good people, and I particularly enjoy the trading relationships."

Mr Simmonds started the business in 2000 after previously working for The Fish Factory and before that as the first manager for OYSA, the oyster industry's marketing company, which subsequently dissolved.

"The oyster industry has added a great deal to regional economies and coastal towns and really helped tourism in the towns," he said.

Mr Simmonds said that 2005 was the best year his company had enjoyed because the growers held on to their oysters for longer and the quality was better.

"The industry is going ahead in leaps and bounds and we're happy to be a part of it," he said.

"We started with half a dozen oyster growers and have built up to 37 producers," he said.