Contary to my post fish farms fuck fish

Shell fish, unlike Salmon and Trout can be successfully farmed off the West Coast of Scotland without screwing up the eco system in said waters.

Mussles:

The mussles are grown by suspending ropes, under rafts which collect the drifting spat. The spat ( young mussles ) which normally attach themselves to rocks or the seabed then grow on the ropes. As the mussles are farmed suspended in the water this way they remain totally grit free.

Oysters:

Here seed from a hatchery is put into mesh bags and put onto low tessles at the low tide mark on the shore.

They are thinned out to allow for optimum growing conditions.

Shellfish farms along the West Coast of Scotland are therfore able to produce both oysters and mussles all year round and guarantee good quality meat, untarnished and can do this without causing excess toxic bloom ( a by- product from some other ways of industrial sea farming ).

Nutrition:

Shellfish are a rich source of vitamins and minerals and are low in fat. Consuming oysters and mussles as part of your regular diet can help promote good eyesight and boost the immune system.

Toxic algal blooms:

As more algae and plants grow, others die. This dead organic matter becomes food for bacteria that decomposes it. With more food available, the bacteria increase in number and use up the dissolved oxygen in the water. When the dissolved oxygen content decreases, many fish and aquatic insects cannot survive. This results in a dead area.

Algal blooms may also be of concern as some species of algae produce neurotoxins. At the high cell concentrations reached during some blooms, these toxins may have severe biological impacts on wildlife. Algal blooms composed of phytoplankters known to naturally produce biotoxins are often called Harmful Algal Blooms, or HABs.

( The above text & pictures was taken from wikipedia ).

Nutrition:

Shellfish are a rich source of vitamins and minerals and are low in fat. Consuming oysters and mussles as part of your regular diet can help promote good eyesight and boost the immune system.

Recipe:

Below is a recipe from http://www.scottishshellfish.co.uk/index.asp

This tasty looking dish is one I will have to try !

Bothy Oysters

Ingredients

4 oysters, shucked, reserving juice and shells
4 x 30-55g (4 x 1-2 oz) slices black pudding
2 x 5ml spoon (2 teaspoons) apple sauce
salt and black pepper
50ml (2 fl oz) malt whisky
30g (1oz) Highland Cheddar cheese
4 lemon wedges
parsley, to garnish

Serves 2

Method

Microwave Power: 800 Watt
Preheat the grill

Microwave black pudding for 1 minute.

Remove skin and mix with the apple sauce, salt and black pepper.

Poach oysters for 1 minute in their own juices along with the whisky. Remove oysters and set aside.

Add whisky liquid to black pudding mixture and beat well.

Shave a few fine slices of cheese using a vegetable peeler. Place 2-3 x 5ml spoon (2-3 teaspoons) of black pudding mixture into each oyster shell, top with an oyster and cover with cheese shavings.

Grill for 1-2 minutes until the cheese melts.

Serve with lemon wedges and more malt!