25 March 2002

By CARMEN WILSON
Seafood lovers who had been holding out for months to get a taste of fresh Bluff oysters were disappointed yesterday when bad weather kept the fleet in port.
Oysterboat skippers spokesman Allan Fowler said it was the first time in 22 years he could remember being without fresh oysters on the first day of the season.

The oyster boats were unable to get out into Foveaux Strait because of 65kmh winds, causing 3m swells.

There was often a lot of hype with the first day of opening.

"In the past, first oysters were helicoptered to Auckland. We have had boats going out early and other boats meeting the boat and helicopters," Mr Fowler said.

There was none of that this year.

"It is a bit disappointing but there is not a lot we can do about it," he said.

Cod Pot Seafood and Takeaway shop assistant Cheryl Tilson said they had been inundated with people wanting oysters.

Staff had to come in early to ring people in Dunedin who had planned to drive to Invercargill to pick up the first of the season's fresh oysters, she said.

A continuous stream of people came into the shop in Dee Street wanting the southern delicacy. All they could get was frozen oysters from last season.

"They are really disappointed. It is like the world has come to an end."

Some tourists had stayed on in Invercargill just to taste the first oyster of the season, she said.

They were disappointed they would have to leave without trying one.

Bluff Oyster Management Company chairman David Skeggs said some years supermarkets had oysters flown to Auckland but that was not planned for this year.

"It is disappointing the industry cannot supply them; we just have to wait."

Chances of getting fresh oysters today were quite likely, with the MetService predicting lighter winds and swells easing.

Meanwhile, Invercargill Mayor Tim Shadbolt was in Auckland yesterday panicking because he had no oysters to promote the start of the season.

No one had told him the fishermen had not been fishing yesterday.

He had media interviews booked all day.

Mr Shadbolt said staff were working on getting oysters to him.