SAVE THE OYSTERS!
A new information campaign to save Scotland’s threatened native oysters will be launched today in Argyll by Scottish Natural Heritage (SNH), Strathclyde Police, Argyll and Bute Council and The Crown Estate. Leaflets and posters will be distributed throughout the west coast of Scotland to urge people to watch out for oyster poachers in the run-up to the festive period, which is a peak season for oyster consumption.
The native oyster once supported a prolific fishery in several parts of Scotland, the most famous being in the Firth of Forth, but there are now only a few dwindling populations of native oysters left on the west coast. In the past over harvesting, diseases and chemical pollution were all factors in the species’ decline, while today, the biggest threat to their recovery is unlawful harvesting from sea lochs. Collection of native oysters is unlawful without consent from The Crown Estate.
Jane Dodd, marine adviser for Scottish Natural Heritage said:
“Christmas is a peak time for oyster consumption but many people are unaware of the plight of our native oyster or that it is unlawful to gather them without permission from The Crown Estate. The species has been reduced in numbers and distribution to a shadow of its former state and the unlawful harvesting is now the main reason that the populations are under threat here in Scotland. This information campaign aims to raise awareness about the problem and encourage people to help by reporting any unlawful collection or other threats to the native oyster, as well as helping us to monitor populations by letting us know if you spot them.”
Superintendent Raymond Park, Argyll and Bute Sub-Division of Strathclyde Police said: "Strathclyde Police is pleased to have the opportunity of co-operating with SNH and the other partner agencies involved in this campaign, with a view to reducing the threat to the native oyster population in west Argyll. For the campaign to be successful, it is important that those outwith the immediate natural heritage community should understand the issues. That is why we will be making the campaign literature available at the public counters of many of our police stations. We hope that the increased public awareness of the plight of the native oyster and of the very restricted circumstances in which it can lawfully be taken from its habitat will reduce losses of the species and increase incident reporting by members of the public."
Marina Curran-Colthart, Local Biodiversity Officer, said: “Argyll and Bute Local Biodiversity Partnership is delighted to support the native oyster project in terms of grant aid through the EU-funded Community Action for Biodiversity Grant Scheme. The project will help raise awareness and assist in the recovery of stocks of this local and nationally threatened species. The information in the document is aimed at a wide audience and is both practical and informative. This project encourages people to help with the protection of native oysters and I have no doubt it will assist in the conservation effort already in place as a result of the UK species action plan.”
David Philip, Stewardship and Renewables Manager at The Crown Estate said:
“We are pleased to be involved in this awareness-raising programme with our partners Argyll and Bute Council, SNH, Association of Scottish Shellfish Growers and Strathclyde Police. We see the scheme as vital in ensuring the long-term future of Scotland’s native oysters. The wide distribution and dissemination of information on this UK Biodiversity Action Species should ensure its protection and hopefully restoration on the west coast.”
The native oyster (Ostrea edulis) is also known as the flat or common oyster and grows wild in the shallow coastal waters of Scotland. Native oysters are rounded in shape, unlike the non-native Pacific oyster (Crassostrea gigas), which is teardrop shaped. Pacific oysters are more likely to be served in a restaurant in Scotland because they are the preferred for farming since they grow faster to a larger size.
Christmas is one of three peak times for oyster consumption in Scotland, as well as Valentines Day and the start of the season in September. During these times consumption is up to three times greater than at other times of the year. Although the bulk of these sales are for farmed oysters, unlawful gathering of native oysters undoubtedly supplies these markets. The new leaflet and poster alerts people to the decline of the native oyster and provides three key opportunities for the public to help:
· report collection of native oysters to the police
· take care not to use anti-fouling paints that contain the chemical tributyl tin (TBT) and contact SEPA if you are concerned that the paint is being used
· report sightings of native oysters to your local SNH office.
In the 13th century the Firth of Forth native oyster fishery covered over 129km2 and was one of the most commercially important in Scotland. At peak production the fishery produced 30 million oysters per year and the superior reputation of the oysters was so widespread that they were sold throughout Scotland, and exported to England and the continent. Extreme pressure from harvesting and illegal poaching caused the fishery to collapse by the 1870s and eventually stopped entirely by 1920. Surveys of the Firth of Forth in 1957 reported that the species was not only commercially extinct but biologically extinct, as not a single living oyster was found.
Media are invited to a photo and interview opportunity at 11:00am on the 15th December, meet at the Cuilfail Hotel car park, Kilmelford, Argyll. There will be interview and photo opportunities with SNH, the police, a shellfish grower and a chef. Due to the threat of poaching we request that media do not disclose the location of the oyster bed they will view on the 15th December and that photos are taken in such a way that the location isn’t obvious.
For more information contact Sarah Roe, National Press and PR Officer, SNH Tel: 0131 446 2270. Mobile: 07787 836010
