Don’t miss the boat, as farmers of the sea, from all over Port Stephens, converge on Nelson Bay for one big festival weekend, to celebrate the region’s abundant fresh seafood.

Port Stephens is renowned for sensational seafood, year round, with the Hunter River, estuaries and Myall Lakes bursting with sweet prawns, plump oysters, Blue Swimmer and Mud crabs, lobsters and of course, an abundance of fresh fish.

Meet the oyster growing families who have harvested the pristine Port Stephens waterways for generations.

Among festival fun will be an oyster shucking show-down; fish filleting, cooking demonstrations with the fresh local catch and kids activities.

Try and buy the very best local oysters direct from the farmers of the sea and fresh seafood at the market stall on D’ALBORA Marinas in Nelson Bay.

Learn more about the local oyster growing industry, and the secret to shucking like a pro.

On Saturday morning you can watch local business identities take on the champions of oyster shucking, with titles and trophies on offer.

Be inspired by live cooking demonstrations that celebrate the region’s coveted, coastal cuisine. Chef Ben Way from Little Beach Boathouse will work wonders with sublime local Kingfish.

From Sydney Fish Market, Brigid Treloar and Alex Stollznow will share the tricks to tender cuttlefish, fish filleting and barbecuing mullet.

The Poyers’ Ludovic Poyer will demonstrate his Mousse of whiting with gribiche sauce and Michael Jenkins, from luxury resort, The Anchorage, will share his techniques for creating an impressive local snapper and Blue Swimmer Crab dish.

Experts on recreational fishing, water safety and Ocean and Coastal Care Initiatives will also be on hand, to answer questions and share their knowledge.

On Saturday, browse the harbourside Sacred Tree Markets.

There are plenty of ways for kids to join in the fun.

Visit the Ocean Watch marquee, create colourful sand art, explore the touch table, get hands-on with fish feeding and join in a game of Fish Bingo.

Enjoy face painting, henna tattoos and roaming entertainment along the waterfront.

The festivities all take place at D’ALBORA Marinas in Nelson Bay, from 11am-5pm on Saturday and 10am-2pm on Sunday.

For information about scheduled demonstration times and the complete festival program visit www.portstephens.org.au/loveseafood.