Update on shellfish layings in the Walton Backwaters

[sarabande]

Pacific (gigas) oysters are a highly invasive non-native species and have caused problems with infestation in many places around our coastline, including Brightlingsea: https://www.researchgate.net/figure...ingsea-Essex-Syvret-et-al-2008_fig2_266287248. I’m strongly of the view that cultivation of them should be banned.

Hear hear ! The old old oyster farm used natives, but went bust. The new company set up the beds with Pacifics. A lot larger.

I am surprised the Env Agency didn't wade in and stop them. I think they employ about 5 people, all locals.

Almost certainly too late to prevent Pacifics being brought in on big ship hulls.

Which type are the beds on the East Coast using ?

 

[Keith 66]

They dont need to be brought in on ship hulls, they have been here for donkeys years. Off Southend they are all pacific oysters, I have been told there is one small patch of natives but dont know where. They have spread all over Canvey point & up as far as Benfleet, You would not want to eat them with the level of sewage in the water.
Across on the Medway the sandbanks in the river are covered in huge pacific oysters as big as your fist.
When they spawn the spat can travel miles on the current & will grow wherever they can take hold.

 

[Sailing steve]

Previously, the oyster beds had little impact on anchoring - rather it was the attitude to anchoring in Kirby where the oyster bed only covered part of the creek, that caused the problems.

That's exactly what's concerning me - the entitled you can't anchor here mate attitude.

I have a horrible feeling the current oyster laying activity west of Titchmarsh may be the thin end of the wedge and should that be a commercial success I really don't want to see anchoring options compromised in more and more places in the Backwaters in the future.

 

[Sailing steve]

But do they make you randy ?
Asking for a friend .

Randy?

Yes, I think I remember that.

 

[johnalison]

Not a very sensible contribution to this thread I'm afraid, but mildly relevant:


The Tale of the Oyster
English source: Cole Porter

Down by the sea lived a lonesome oyster
Every day getting sadder and moister
He found his home life awf'lly wet
And longed to travel with the upper set
Poor little oyster

Fate was kind to that oyster we know
When one day the chef from the Park Casino
Saw that oyster lying there
And said "I'll put you on my bill of fare."
Lucky little oyster

See him on his silver platter
Watching the queens of fashion chatter
Hearing the wives of millionaires
Discuss their marriages and their love affairs
Thrilled little oyster

See that bivalve social climber
Feeding the rich Mrs. Hoggenheimer
Think of his joy as he gaily glides
Down to the middle of her gilded insides
Proud little oyster

After lunch Mrs. H. complains
And says to her hostess, "I've got such pains
I came to town on my yacht today
But I think I'd better hurry back to Oyster Bay."
Scared little oyster

Off they go through the troubled tide
The yacht rolling madly from side to side
They're tossed about till that fine young oyster
Finds that it's time he should quit his cloister
Up comes the oyster

Back once more where he started from
He murmured, "I haven't a single qualm
For I've had a taste of society
And society has had a taste of me."
Wise little oyster

 

[Yorkshire Exile]

Not a very sensible contribution to this thread I'm afraid, but mildly relevant:


The Tale of the Oyster
English source: Cole Porter

Down by the sea lived a lonesome oyster
Every day getting sadder and moister
He found his home life awf'lly wet
And longed to travel with the upper set
Poor little oyster

Fate was kind to that oyster we know
When one day the chef from the Park Casino
Saw that oyster lying there
And said "I'll put you on my bill of fare."
Lucky little oyster

See him on his silver platter
Watching the queens of fashion chatter
Hearing the wives of millionaires
Discuss their marriages and their love affairs
Thrilled little oyster

See that bivalve social climber
Feeding the rich Mrs. Hoggenheimer
Think of his joy as he gaily glides
Down to the middle of her gilded insides
Proud little oyster

After lunch Mrs. H. complains
And says to her hostess, "I've got such pains
I came to town on my yacht today
But I think I'd better hurry back to Oyster Bay."
Scared little oyster

Off they go through the troubled tide
The yacht rolling madly from side to side
They're tossed about till that fine young oyster
Finds that it's time he should quit his cloister
Up comes the oyster

Back once more where he started from
He murmured, "I haven't a single qualm
For I've had a taste of society
And society has had a taste of me."
Wise little oyster

Oddly the little oyster's life is analogous to mine so far.