This month spells the start of the famous bluff oyster season. This variety of oyster is only found in New Zealand and Chile and is regarded by many as the finest tasting oysters in the world.
They are not farm grown but are dredged by a small oyster fleet located in the seaside town of Bluff. The oyster beds are found in the cold clean waters of the Foveaux Strait. Foveaux Strait is located between the bottom of the South Island and Stewart Island.
New Zealanders rush to be the first to taste the new seasons delicacy with some oyster boats being met by helicopters in order to be distributed in time to be served for lunch at Auckland’s top restaurants.
This years harvest has been described as bigger, plumper and in the best condition seen for many years.
The Bluff oyster fishery is strictly managed via a quota system and is limited to 15 million oysters per season. The season only runs till the end of August. This limitation together with a demand that out strips supply, has resulted in high domestic prices.
If you plan to visit NZ during the Bluff oyster season I strongly recommend that you experience this unique shellfish. One word of warning, prices do vary around the country. In the tourist resorts you will find that one dozen will cost between $47 to $49 while in Auckland and Wellington, prices are around $35. Two restaurants in Queenstown are serving fresh Bluff oysters priced at $47 and $49. Perhaps that,s how the term “Tourist trap” eventuated.