(3 minutes read)
· A Seychellois team is conducting a feasibility study to
operate a rock oyster farm mainly focusing at the export market
· The study is being done by the Rock Oyster team. It has received a grant of SCR 1 million from Blue Grant Fund under the Seychelles Conservation and Climate Adaptation Trust (SeyCCAT)
· The study will determine the economic viability to operate a rock-oyster farm for commercial purposes in the island nation
A Seychellois team is conducting a feasibility study to operate a rock oyster farm mainly focusing at the export market. The study is being done by the Rock Oyster team. It has received a grant of SCR 1 million from Blue Grant Fund under the Seychelles Conservation and Climate Adaptation Trust (SeyCCAT). The study will determine the economic viability to operate a rock-oyster farm for commercial purposes in the island nation.
This would be the first oyster farm to be established in the western Indian Ocean island state. The project also will be the first to grow oysters for food rather than for pearls. A black pearl oyster farm started in Praslin, the second-most populated island, in 1995 had produced black-lipped oyster and winged oyster for the pearl market.
The project is still at the concept stage since it is still not clear whether the oyster can be grown in the Indian Ocean Island for meat. If that becomes successful, the farm can sell the meat to the many five-star tourism establishments found on the island. Oyster farming involves three stages. First is the selection of young oysters. Later the young oysters are allowed to mature into a mature stage. Finally, the oysters are matured and fattened. For the time being, the team is searching for suitable locations for local production in consultation with the Island Development Company (IDC). If the pilot project is successful, Seychelles will become eligible for financial help from the World Bank to undertake the farming of oysters on a large scale.
