The Return of the Natives…

Press Release 10 September 2010 The Return of the Natives… Loch Fyne Oysters, Scotland’s leading seafood producer, is celebrating the traditional start of the Oyster season by adding Scottish native oysters to its product range. In the 19th century the natives were almost fished to extinction thanks to over harvesting and pollution during the industrial revolution. Loch Fyne Oysters is working in partnership with the only wild oyster fishery left in Scotland at Loch Ryan, to ensure that native oysters can be enjoyed once again. Over the last decade the oyster farmers in Loch Ryan, near Stranraer have been working alongside Scottish Natural Heritage and other environmental groups to restore the oyster beds and bring them back to commercial viability. They do this by harvesting only the largest 5% of the native oyster crop and re-seeding the smallest 95% into small marked beds. These are left to grow for another five years and are then harvested when they reach a market size. The result is a sustainably managed sea bed which yields a healthy crop of Scottish native oyster’s year on year from September to May. Bruce Davidson, managing director at Loch Fyne Oysters Ltd, said: “We look forward to continuing our partnership with Loch Ryan so that the natives go from strength to strength and I am sure that the Scottish native oyster will once again become a firm favourite in restaurants and households across the country.” Loch Fyne Scottish native oysters are available in boxes of twelve RRP £16.80 from the home delivery service T: 01499 600470 and from the online shop at www.lochfyne.com. Boxes of 100 can be bought directly from Loch Fyne Oysters. Contact the sales team on T: 01499 600264 for more information. ENDS Notes to Editors Please contact Eilidh Macleod for pictures. Loch Fyne Oysters Ltd Loch Fyne started with one inspirational idea – to grow oysters in the clear, fertile waters of Loch Fyne. It has since developed into a cluster of businesses whose success is built on an honest approach to superb quality food. All Loch Fyne businesses abide by the guiding environmental principles established by founders John Noble and Andy Lane at the outset. The companies work together to ensure that only the very best produce – farmed and fished to the highest quality and environmental standards – reaches the kitchens and plates of their customers. At the base in Cairndow are the Loch Fyne Farm shop and the Loch Fyne Oyster Bar, the genesis behind the Loch Fyne Restaurant group, owned by Greene King with whom Loch Fyne Oysters have both supply and licence agreements in place. Loch Fyne Oysters work closely with the Marine Conservation Society and is one of their Oceans 25 Ambassadors. This information and further details from Eilidh Macleod at Denvir T: 01786 435 182 E: eilidh@denvirmarketing.com

Tags: