Exmoor Oysters

In June 2017 there will be available Pacific Oysters, which have been farmed in Porlock Bay and achieved the top A grade classification for water quality from the Food Standards Agency. This is the first site in England and Wales to achieve this accolade.

There has been Oyster fishing at Porlock Bay dating back to the 1830s. By 1850s 1200 oysters were caught each day. In 1874, nearby Minehead, was linked by railway to London and Oysters caught in the morning were enjoyed in top London Restaurants that same evening. But in 1890 the oyster beds were stripped completely by a rival fleet of oyster fisherman.

Over 100 years later in 2012 a community led group and some match Crowd Funding (140 households contributed £65000 matched by a £75000 grant) helped set up this Community Business with all profits benefiting the local community and providing local employment. This launches and revives the Oyster fishing tradition in coastal Exmoor. Visitors from June onwards, when the oysters will have reached their required size, could well be feasting in style.