Oban man picks up top oyster award at annual shellfish event
THREE Argyll businesses took the top awards at this year’s Scottish Shellfish Growers conference competitions.
Held in Oban’s Corran Halls, the conference last Thursday and Friday, October 22-23, attracted an international audience, with delegates coming from New Zealand, North America and Turkey.
Speaking at the event was the minster for the environment, climate change and land reform, Dr Aileen McLeod.
Dr McLeod, who is a MSP for the south of Scotland, said: ‘ The shellfish sector is very important to Scotland, both economically and socially, and makes a key contribution to our most remote rural and island communities, which depend on aquaculture as an economic mainstay.
‘ The Scottish shellfish industry reported its highest ever mussel production this year at 7,683 tonnes, up 14 per cent, with employment levels also increasing by four per cent year- on-year.
‘ The Scottish Government warmly welcomes these figures which highlight the continued sustainable growth of the sector and indicates the significant further potential which exists.’
John Ogden of Oban Seafood Hut was part of the prestigious judging panel that had the responsibility of determining the best Scottish shellfish.
He said: ‘ There was some magnificent shellfish on offer. I wish I could have that level of shellfish all year round. The level is stupendous and it’s improving every year.’
The best mussels went to Ian Mackay of Loch Fyne Oysters, best gigas oysters went to Craig Archibald of Islay, and Oban man Hugo Vajk won best native oyster. Hugo said: ‘ This is my second year in a row winning the event. It’s a great feeling.
‘ This is an annual event that we all look forward to. It’s a chance for us all to get together and share stories.
‘ The competition is friendly, but fierce.’