Oysters in the Thames

My son came home today with a massive oyster he found in the Thames sand... I know Samuel Pepys talks about oysters from the Thames in his diaries, but still, how odd!

where in the thames?, theres plenty out riverhead way.
it would be great if they are coming further up.

bigphil wrote:

where in the thames?, theres plenty out riverhead way.
it would be great if they are coming further up.

The little "beach" opposite the Globe. And it really is massive. Might post a picture tomorrow.

That can only be good news, guys. It surely means the river is becoming more and more cleaner. I doubt we will ever see salmon off Greenwich Pier, as also in Samuel Pepys' day, but oysters are a step in the right direction. Perhaps we will one day see starfish on Southend beach again, as I used to in my childhood. I know there have been a few experimental fishing sessions opposite the Houses of Parliament in recent years and apart from a few dabs and flounders, there's been the odd roach turn up I believe. So fish are entering London from both directions.

Oysters are no indication of clean water. They thrive in dirty water and are even used to help clean up rivers as they act as very good filters bit like a mini sewage treatment plant. I wouldn't eat this one. I've read oysters were once so plentyful In London that apprenticies in the many livery companies in London would complain that the were given too many oysters to eat as well as salmon

Oysters, historically, were food for the London poor.

I once ate 32 oysters at the Oyster and Seafood festival, which unfortunaltely is not being held any longer... I actually think I'll pop this one back into the river.

We found one under Tower Bridge at low tide this week, the size of a very large cornish pasty. I thought it was solid stone but today it started opening a bit, smells dreadful and is attracting flies!

I really think 32 oysters is a bit too many

Zoe wrote:

I really think 32 oysters is a bit too many

I enjoyed every single one of them...