Ireland introduced its equivalent of the French Golden Oyster award yesterday as a booming industry marked a tenfold increase in production and sales.
BIM's (Bord Iascaigh Mhara) Quality Oyster Awards, sponsored by Guinness, were introduced in Dublin by the Minister of State for the Marine, Mr Hugh Byrne, as an industry considered a "Celtic tiger cub" saw production rise from 320 tonnes in 1989 to 3,000 this year, with a value of £7 million.
Some 300 oyster-producers are now operating in 11 coastal counties, with Waterford producing most, one-third of Irish output.
The competition is closely monitored by France, the world's largest producer and consumer of oysters. The French buy 90 per cent of Ireland's produce. Mr Denis Minihane, BIM's shellfish quality officer, said the competition would allow other Irish producers to compare their own product. It also helped BIM put together a "quality assured scheme" of approved producers for a growing list of international buyers.
Irish consumption accounts for just 3 per cent of product, but that is growing, as it is now seen as "cool and trendy" to eat oysters, according to Mr Minihane. The remainder of Ireland's produce goes to Britain, Italy and Germany.
Up to 60 Irish oyster-producers are expected to enter the competition with £4,000 in prize money. The best oyster-grower (won last year by Atlanfish, Donegal) in the farmed oysters category receives £2,000, and the best native grower (won last year by Clew Bay Oysters) for "wild" oysters receives a similar prize. Irish oyster producers, Mr Byrne said, "should not attempt to compete with their European colleagues in terms of volume but should compete on quality and on the great image Irish food products have abroad".
The judges, who include chef Derry Clarke, as well as Guinness and BIM representatives, consider the shape, look, taste and "meat content". The closing date is Wednesday, October 14th, and forms and further information are available from BIM in Dun Laoghaire.
