'Extinct' wild oysters are back from the dead in Firth of Forth

Published on Thursday 5 November 2009 08:52

OYSTERS have made a comeback in the Firth of Forth years after being declared extinct in the area.

Live wild oysters have reportedly been found by Stirling University scientists who said the discovery could lead to a future return to commercial production.

Forth oysters were once regarded as among the best in Britain but were wiped out through over-fishing in 1957.

Dr Elizabeth Ashton of the University of Stirling's Institute of Aquaculture discovered the oysters at a secret location and said improving water quality in the Forth could mean they make a full return.

She reportedly said: "I put my wellies on and my raincoat and was walking along the slippery stones by the water's edge.

"Then out of the corner of my eye I saw what I thought could be an oyster. The tide was still going out so I had to wait a while and, yes, it was a specimen of a native oyster."