Oyster harvesting lower island

[Knotty Seamen]

Just wondering if anybody can recommend a safe area to go harvest some oysters qualicum south. Looking for somewhere safe and not contaminated. Haven't been in years and looking for something to do this weekend.

 

[Cuba Libre]

Ummmm-- not the best time of year for oysters... If you insist, be sure to review the DFO shellfish bulletins first.

 

[Cuba Libre]

Here is the link.....http://www.pac.dfo-mpo.gc.ca/fm-gp/contamination/biotox/index-eng.html

 

[Knotty Seamen]

What makes it not a good time of year? Sorry haven't done this since I was a kid. If I read correctly qualicum area and many places are open. Does anyone have an area they would suggest?

 

[wolf]

Red tide!!!!

 

[eaglemaniac]

As mentioned not the best time of year as the are generally in there spawning mode during the summer months so tend to be very mushy. Also as Wolf mentioned red tide can be a killer. Stick to the months with an R in them is the oyster rule. eman

 

[Ian]

The R rule refers tom EUROPEAN oysters,

 

[peetz]

The R rule refers tom EUROPEAN oysters,

The .." R " Rule refers to , oysters , clams , muscles ..

 

[Bent-Tip]

I'm with Eman on this. Too many spawners.

 

[Samnjoe]

Great oysters in Nootka 2 weeks ago.
Ate a bunch of them. Colder water this year.
Oysters don't spawn until the water warms up.
Probably spawning on the inside now though.

 

[Cuba Libre]

During warm summers a nasty little bug called Vibrio can bloom. In fact it shut down the commercial oyster industry a few years ago from Campbell River to Puget Sound. Unfortunately I have personal experience with it as I got the BC version of Montezumas Revenge from eating raw oysters from Baynes Sound. I only eat raw oysters in the winter now.

 

[Samnjoe]

Half our group (the ones that ate the raw ones) got that a couple of years ago in Nootka.
I cook all summer oysters now.
Also I check with the closest farm.
They will usually have the most up to date info.

During warm summers a nasty little bug called Vibrio can bloom. In fact it shut down the commercial oyster industry a few years ago from Campbell River to Puget Sound. Unfortunately I have personal experience with it as I got the BC version of Montezumas Revenge from eating raw oysters from Baynes Sound. I only eat raw oysters in the winter now.

 

[Knotty Seamen]

Thanks for your help guys. Just curious why you can buy fanny bay oysters locally here in victoria at oyster bars year round then?

 

[triplenickel]

Thanks for your help guys. Just curious why you can buy fanny bay oysters locally here in victoria at oyster bars year round then?

They freeze very well.

 

[nicnat]

the oyster industry has evolved over the years, my buddy is an oyster farmer in okeover arm. you can get good oysters thru the summer from the growers as they grow them in deeper colder water in trays or on ropes etc. these are the ones you see in restaurants this time of the year not the ones off the beaches and rocky areas accessible to the public. eman is right on with his post, they spawn around this time and basically the meat shrinks down and the guts become larger creating a not so desirable product. you can eat them, just not nearly as good, if you do decide harvest some, get them on the lowest tides you can and make sure the area is open.

cheers nicnat

 

[eaglemaniac]

Great info and advice nicnat. I do agree with an earlier post in that it all depends on where your at. West Coast oysters can be fine as they generally have a colder environment.I've been out to Nootka in august and enjoyed some wonderful oysters. You can usually tell when there spawning when you open them, not to desirable looking. Good Luck in your Oyster hunt. eman