Update on shellfish layings in the Walton Backwaters

[Cantata]

The topic of oyster layings in the Backwaters comes up from time to time, particularly around Kirby Creek. As promised a few weeks ago we have got an update.

We have now had official confirmation from the Centre for Environment Fisheries and Aquaculture Science (CEFAS) the Government body responsible for controlling, among other things, the laying of oysters and shellfish in our creeks, that there are no licensed or recognised oyster beds in Walton Backwaters. This includes the much disputed Kirby Creek.
CEFAS reply to our query stated: "We have no current Authorisations on our system in the area stated.
Guidance on our Authorisation process can be found here Fish, shellfish or crustacean farm authorisation - GOV.UK”.

We also understand an investigation is likely to be undertaken by the organisation's enforcement branch.

 

[shanemax]

Good information for those who wish to anchor and enjoy the peace and desolate beauty plus the numerous seals.
If any one comes along and tells you you are sitting on Oyster beds you can tell them to " sling their hook" before you sling your own.

 

[Sailing steve]

Very pleased to

The topic of oyster layings in the Backwaters comes up from time to time, particularly around Kirby Creek. As promised a few weeks ago we have got an update.

We have now had official confirmation from the Centre for Environment Fisheries and Aquaculture Science (CEFAS) the Government body responsible for controlling, among other things, the laying of oysters and shellfish in our creeks, that there are no licensed or recognised oyster beds in Walton Backwaters. This includes the much disputed Kirby Creek.
CEFAS reply to our query stated: "We have no current Authorisations on our system in the area stated.
Guidance on our Authorisation process can be found here Fish, shellfish or crustacean farm authorisation - GOV.UK”.

We also understand an investigation is likely to be undertaken by the organisation's enforcement branch.

Delighted to hear that - thanks.

Hopefully the entitled busybody whose been attempting to prevent anchoring in Kirby creek on the pretext he has the rights to do so will not be heard from again - but if he does persist and as there's the prospect of an investigation then of course it would be beneficial for CEFAS to be informed.

 

[ianc1200]

There's a young fisherman (smallish blue fishing boat) that has been working for months between the end of the marina/Coles Creek and the Wade, laying down bags of shells. He's very pleasant & knowledgable to talk to so I'd be interested how this pans out. I've asked him once and his says it's all legit & clearly he's quite convinced.

 

[Sailing steve]

There's a young fisherman (smallish blue fishing boat) that has been working for months between the end of the marina/Coles Creek and the Wade, laying down bags of shells. He's very pleasant & knowledgable to talk to so I'd be interested how this pans out. I've asked him once and his says it's all legit & clearly he's quite convinced.

Given the recent confirmation from CEFAS that there are now no officially recognised oyster layings anywhere in the Backwaters it'd be interesting to find out what exactly his intentions are for the bags of shells he's been laying.

 

[Malish]

Given the recent confirmation from CEFAS that there are now no officially recognised oyster layings anywhere in the Backwaters it'd be interesting to find out what exactly his intentions are for the bags of shells he's been laying.

and who he is selling the product to?

 

[Sailing steve]

and who he is selling the product to?

Well exactly.

He's not putting all that effort and money into laying - and doubtless intending to harvest later - in an recognised oyster production area so it's not all legit as he claims which begs the question who's gonna be checking those oysters for quality and purity? That's especially relevant in the Backwater area when the nearby Kirby creek beds were abandoned some years back after the oysters harvested there were deemed unfit for consumption.

I like oysters very much but I'm not quite so enthusiastic over the prospect of spending 24 hours perched on the bog with a bucket on my knees after eating contaminated ones.

 

[nortada]

Menus | Harbour Lights Walton-on-the-Naze

As a customer, I wondered where the Walton Rock Oysters came from; does this answer that question

As a local, I am not aware of any food poisoning problems.

From observation, there is a smallish blue boat working the on the Wade between the causeway and Titchmarsh Marina in an area that never drys.

Popular rumour has it that the original company working this area were forced out of business by draconian EU Rules so now the EU no longer has authority possibly circumstances have changed.

A few weeks back, I assisted in laying the Twizzle Race Mark and we observed the hither to oyster beds boundry. The marked dragged so has now been relocated.

 

[Sailing steve]

Menus | Harbour Lights Walton-on-the-Naze

As a customer, I wondered where the Walton Rock Oysters came from; does this answer that question

As a local, I am not aware of any food poisoning problems.

From observation, there is a smallish blue boat working the on the Wade between the causeway and Titchmarsh Marina in an area that never drys.

Popular rumour has it that the original company working this area were forced out of business by draconian EU Rules so now the EU no longer has authority possibly circumstances have changed.

A few weeks back, I assisted in laying the Twizzle Race Mark and we observed the hither to oyster beds boundry. The marked dragged so has now been relocated.

Well there aren't any rocks at Walton and there aren't any officially sanctioned oyster beds either so no it's not really clear where either the name or the actual oysters on the menu come from and if anybody in the EU has determined the oysters from the area aren't fit to eat in the past then simply leaving the EU doesn't make them edible now.

In fact considering the amount of seal poo and agricultural runoff and surreptitious sea toilet evacuation and leached antifoul from hundreds of moored boats and God knows what hideous chemical pollutants are in the local water from all the spoil that's been dumped from Felixstowe and Harwich harbour dredging operations if you offered me a Walton Rock oyster that really was out of the Backwaters I'd pass on it without hesitation.
Edit: I forgot to mention Thames Water's ready willingness to enhance shareholder value by flooding the estuary with billions of litres of untreated sewage whenever the opportunity to get away with doing so presents - that's not actually filling me with enthusiasm for eating local shellfish either

 

[ianc1200]

This was covered & extensively discussed in a previous thread -

Anchoring in Kirby Creek

I'm not sure what that chart is telling us though - are these allowed oyster laying areas or not? As noted in that thread the "shellfish waters" even included the basin of the marina.

 

[WoodyP]

There was an oyster farm in the Wash just outside the Witham Haven and Welland confluence that was ruined by the flood defence work at the North shore. They needed a license from the government to operate.

 

[Sailing steve]

This was covered & extensively discussed in a previous thread -

Anchoring in Kirby Creek

I'm not sure what that chart is telling us though - are these allowed oyster laying areas or not? As noted in that thread the "shellfish waters" even included the basin of the marina.

I read that thread and no, I didn't understand exactly what the chart was telling us either but think it indicates there's potential for laying and harvesting molluscs in the shaded area but CEFAS have stated there are currently no licensed or recognised oyster layings in the Backwaters so exactly what our friend in the blue boat is up too is questionable.

I suppose the bottom line is twofold. Firstly clarity in regard to whether there are any official restrictions on anchoring or not would be useful so if approached by some entitled busybody claiming there are when in actual fact there aren't s/he can be invited to 'eff off and secondly if anybody is running a cheeky side hustle in Walton Rock oysters then it'd be good to know who's serving these unofficial untested and presumably unlicensed oysters up and make sure absolutely sure you aren't eating any of them.

 

[ianc1200]

Re restrictions on anchoring - apart from (whichever) ministery/Govt Dept has any body got the power to allow or not allow this? Similar to laying of buoys - who actually controls this? There were three new buoys laid in Landermere Creek in 2023, but who allowed this or could have prevented this? I've heard talk about a fairways committee controlling the Twizzle, but no concrete information as to who they are. re Nortada's point about the Twizzle racing mark, Chip you may remember around Christmas the Coles Creek buoy also went missing (I went and retrieved) but this too is in the middle where the blue fishing boat has been working.

 

[nortada]

Re restrictions on anchoring - apart from (whichever) ministery/Govt Dept has any body got the power to allow or not allow this? Similar to laying of buoys - who actually controls this? There were three new buoys laid in Landermere Creek in 2023, but who allowed this or could have prevented this? I've heard talk about a fairways committee controlling the Twizzle, but no concrete information as to who they are. re Nortada's point about the Twizzle racing mark, Chip you may remember around Christmas the Coles Creek buoy also went missing (I went and retrieved) but this too is in the middle where the blue fishing boat has been working.

Re Fairways Committee or other committees, Alec Moss or Chris Brooke will be able to advise.

 

[shanemax]

Well exactly.

He's not putting all that effort and money into laying - and doubtless intending to harvest later - in an recognised oyster production area so it's not all legit as he claims which begs the question who's gonna be checking those oysters for quality and purity? That's especially relevant in the Backwater area when the nearby Kirby creek beds were abandoned some years back after the oysters harvested there were deemed unfit for consumption.

I like oysters very much but I'm not quite so enthusiastic over the prospect of spending 24 hours perched on the bog with a bucket on my knees after eating contaminated ones.

Google TBT tributyltin anti fouling and all will be explained about the poor Oyster and the trend in transgender mussels.

 

[shanemax]

Oh........ and tributyltin does not break down but stays in the environment (mud) so if this was the reason any new shell fish are at risk.

 

[Milore]

I was advised by 2 reputable sources that they are laying oysters & did see a chart
It’s west Mersea fisherman & they are for harbour lights restaurant , again told they are relying on councils agreement that go back to when Owen bloom had them

 

[ianc1200]

I was advised by 2 reputable sources that they are laying oysters & did see a chart
It’s west Mersea fisherman & they are for harbour lights restaurant , again told they are relying on councils agreement that go back to when Owen bloom had them

There's no doubt they are laying oysters! It's in the area just between the end of the buoys & The Wade, the black flaged "Coles Creek" racing buoy is slap in the middle of this area. I haven't seen the blue fishing boat move for about three weeks, but when it does it goes somewhere else as well. It's currently on the 2nd last buoy upstream of the marina.

This area is where boats have been anchoring for longish periods - ie liveaboards - the last few seasons, and yet there are no signs up saying no anchoring, so it will be interesting to see how this plays out over the next few weeks.

 

[Sailing steve]

This area is where boats have been anchoring for longish periods - ie liveaboards - the last few seasons, and yet there are no signs up saying no anchoring, so it will be interesting to see how this plays out over the next few weeks.

Certainly will.

I'm not sure who has any entitlement to erect signs telling anybody else where they may or may not anchor.

Historically there had been a great deal of unpleasantness caused by the individual driving sailors away from Kirby creek on the pretext he had the authority to do so and it definitely won't be welcomed if that situation develops again.

 

[nortada]

Certainly will.

I'm not sure who has any entitlement to erect signs telling anybody else where they may or may not anchor.

Historically there had been a great deal of unpleasantness caused by the individual driving sailors away from Kirby creek on the pretext he had the authority to do so and it definitely won't be welcomed if that situation develops again.

As you say, in previous times the unpleasantness was in Kirby Creek, which is a fair way away from where oysters are reputedly to now being laid.

From observation very few boat anchor in the Wade east of the causeway.

Taking the broader view there is plenty of space in the Backwaters to accommodate both the oysters and anchoring.