First oysters ashore at last

Ariel II crew member Jacinda Fowler eats her first oyster of the season. Photo by Jane Dawber.
Ariel II crew member Jacinda Fowler eats her first oyster of the season. Photo by Jane Dawber.
They are bigger, they are fatter, but unfortunately they may be a little dearer.

After a delayed start to the season, Bluff oysters were dredged yesterday, with next stop being dinner tables around the country.

The first boat home from Foveaux Strait yesterday was Ariel II, from which skipper Anthony Fowler and his team off-loaded 23 sacks of the delicacy.

‘‘They look good. They look fatter, and whiter, and good quality for the punters,'' Mr Fowler said.

Sucking them down like only a Bluff local could, and not sharing too many with the questioning media, he said conditions were calm out in the strait.

The season was supposed to start on Saturday, but poor weather kept most boats in port.

All 11 boats got out yesterday, with most not due back until late afternoon, and processing due to start today.

Graeme Wright, manager of Barnes Oysters Ltd, of Invercargill, said a dozen raw oysters cost $19 at his factory shop, up $1 on last year's price. Individual retailers decided on price, he said.  Barnes Oysters processed 53% of oysters caught.

Most boats would stay in port today to allow crew to attend the funeral of Bluff identity Irene Hawke, whose son and grandson are skippers of oyster boats. She died on Thursday, aged 99.

Add a Comment