Newcastle Port Corporation said yesterday they expected the clean-up from the August 25 spill to be finished in early October.

The areas worst affected were the north arm of the Hunter River, especially the north bank near Stockton Bridge around to Stockton, and near the coal-loader.

Recreational fishers appeared undeterred by white-uniformed clean-up crews yesterday, with families dropping a line off boats and the shore.

Bait and tackle shops nearby reported being busier than ever for a school holiday period.

But there have been reports that crabs have disappeared from the coastline.

Wholesale oyster farmer Terry Jones said the slick had wiped out his leases, about 6million oysters, and customers were not interested.

‘‘I can’t eat them, I spit them out,’’ he said.

Long-time prawner Geoff Hyde said the prawning season did not start until November, but they were concerned.

He said fishermen were unable to gauge the oil’s effects because it was the off-season.

‘‘It will have to affect the crabs and invertebrates, it will smother them,’’ he said.

Investment and Industry NSW said there had been no reports of dead fish in the area.

A NSW Food Authority spokeswoman said there was no information to suggest there were any long-term food safety issues with seafood caught in the area.

Of the 32 pelicans captured by volunteer groups after the spill, 18 have been released, six are on the Central Coast and eight are still recuperating at Taronga Zoo.

Bird experts predict those released will return to the Hunter. Hunter Bird Observers Club vice-president Mick Roderick said they spotted one pelican and a cormorant covered in oil during a boat trip last Friday.

Newcastle Port Corporation chief Gary Webb said the clean-up included scientific advice from state government agencies.

‘‘The oil on the water has been gone for weeks, really what has been impacted is the shoreline.’’