Graeme Wright
Bluff's oyster fleet is expected to return home this
morning with its first haul from the opening day of the season.
Two of Barnes Oysters' fleet were planning to head out just
after midnight to ensure oyster lovers tasted their first new
season oysters as early as possible.
Harbour Fish's Aaron Cooper, of Dunedin, was doing similar,
leaving at 4am for the South with the aim of getting back to
Dunedin by noon to satisfy the city's cravings for first of
the favourite juicy bivalve molluscs.
Bluff Oyster Management Company spokesman Graeme Wright, of
Barnes Oysters, said indications were the start of the season
would be a good one, with a favourable weather forecast for
opening day.
''The weather's on our side and the boats are all geared
up.''
He hoped to have his two boats back by mid-morning and would
have 20 staff in the shed opening sacks of oysters in time
for the lunch demand.
''It's a crazy day.''
Prices were expected to similar to last year, he said.
The industry had boats out surveying the beds for the oyster
parasite Bonamia, but it would be at least six weeks before
results were known.
However, from what they had seen the beds were looking good,
comparable to what they had been for the past four or five
years, he said.
-rebecca.fox@odt.co.nz
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