Rock oysters (also known as Crassostrea cucullata) occur naturally in Seychelles and they can be found growing in a number of areas across Mahé as well as in and other islands in the archipelago (e.g. Silhouette).    It is believed that they were introduced to Seychelles from boat hulls departing from Tanzania where there is an abundant concentration of these species.  They are extremely delicious, tender and tasty.  However, they are not large enough and do not occur in sufficient numbers to at least supply the local demand.

It is to be noted that in 1972, a feasibility study was undertaken by Mr. K.W Cox under the auspices of UNDP/FAO and based on his findings, he had recommended at that period three ideal sites to carry out rock oyster farming (i.e. Anse Boileau, Anse La Mouche and Port Glaud) and provided the basic environmental characteristics for such undertakings.    The Cox report has determined that these undertakings could become a viable economic activity for the country but his recommendations for implementing such farming never materialized to date and apart from some efforts made in Praslin with the Oyster Pearl farm, there had never been any conclusive attempt to cultivate local rock-oysters as a commercialized edible product for local consumption.

This pilot project has been designed to undertake a feasibility study aimed at determining the economic viability of a rock oyster farm in Seychelles, the first of its kind.   This study will enable to actualize and monetize the previous feasibility study conducted out by Mr K.W.Cox 48 years ago in Seychelles so to show that the farming of rock-oyster if properly developed could quickly become a new commercial seafood product for the local market (like other common shellfishes e.g tec tec, bigorno, bernique, prawn) especially in cold storage, wholesalers and large hotels.

The overall outcome of this project will be to determine that the farming of rock-oyster could become a new commercial seafood product for the local market and eventually become an income generating industry for the country as an export item.

Specific outcomes will include to determine the most suitable locations to cultivate rock oysters in line with the guidance of Cox Report including the SFA Marine culture plan; to establish the most appropriate farming methods to grow them; to create public awareness, sensitization, participation and acceptance of the project with the local community and other stakeholders and to start the marketing business plan for the commercialization process of rock oyster in local market.

The direct beneficiaries of this project will be the people of Seychelles as this study is designed to encourage government of Seychelles to support rock oyster farming which if developed properly will generate extra foreign exchange revenue to the country’s economy and help to bring a relief with the socio-economic challenges the Country is currently facing.

This pilot project is in addition links to the policy of SFA aimed at diversifying the activities within the marine environment and will be of benefits to their initiatives to conduct various species research and development for the growth and diversification of the sector.    

The project required sum is 999,500 SCR and it will be implemented for two years from January 2021 to January 2023.

 However, the preparatory activities such as the drafting of forms for collecting field data as well as the collect of sample on potential areas to conduct the pilot project can immediately start as soon as the requested large grant is being awarded to the ‘Rock Oyster Team’ (ROT). 

In fact, many activities have already been undertaken by ROT and this include seeking the commitments of key local partners to support our study, engaging actively with international and regional experts to assist with the implementation of this project and identifying suitable farming sites across Mahé and other islands to implement these trials to assess the growth rate of rock oysters.