Oyster companies earn ASC approval

Morecambe Bay Oysters, the UK’s largest oyster hatchery, has gained Aquaculture Stewardship Council (ASC) accreditation, owner Associated Seafoods group has announced.

Another of the group’s company’s, Loch Fyne Oysters, has been granted ASC ‘chain of custody’ certification, which ensures that products can now be tracked from the source right to the final customer.

Buckie-headquartered Associated Seafoods said in a press release that aquaculture is facing growing challenges caused by climate change, and practices that were once customary now require frequent reassessment and adjustment.

It added that the adoption of well-established standards encourages self-regulation and improvement, ensuring businesses like Morecambe Bay Oysters remain sustainable and innovative.

Pacific and European oysters are produced at the company’s hatchery and nursery at Walney Island in south Cumbria, and then grown to maturity in Morecambe Bay using the traditional bag and trestles method of cultivation on intertidal sandflats.

Associated Seafoods managing director Victor West said: “Our ASC accreditation is a significant milestone for Morecambe Bay Oysters and reflects our commitment to sustainable aquaculture. We hope our farming practices not only support the health of local ecosystems, but also contribute to the long-term sustainability of the industry.

“With Morecambe Bay being an environmentally and ecologically significant location, our accreditation holds particular importance, as the area has several special designations due to its role in supporting diverse wildlife and habitats.

“We are proud to produce delicious and nutritious local food that showcases the best of British aquaculture. Our oysters reflect the rich marine environment of Morecambe Bay, and the importance of offering consumers a product that both tastes great and is responsibly sourced. These achievements would not have been possible without the hard work and dedication from our committed team.”