How Oysters Are Farmed In Scotland’s Lochs | Regional Eats

Local landowner Johnny Noble and marine biologist Andy Lane started the Loch Fyne Oyster Farm in 1978. Since then, they’ve grown it into a global business. They export internationally to Barbados, South Africa, and Hong Kong, as well as stocking in prestigious London retailers. But what makes these oysters so special? Loch Fyne farms Pacific oysters, which can be found at various locations on the Scottish coast. These oysters are harvested all around the world, including France, Australia, and New Zealand. Pacific oysters constitute 80% of the global oyster trade and were introduced to the UK in 1964 to replace low stocks of the British native oysters. The native variety can be more expensive and rare, but also riskier to consume.  The Scottish lochs have unparalleled water quality. And this loch, in particular, is of class A purity at least six months of the here is paramount. Loch Fyne monitors the water constantly for toxins, as do the local authorities. To eliminate viruses, each oyster under