Sourcing native oyster seed on the scale that would be envisaged for
offshore culture may prove problematic, not only in terms of total numbers of seed, but also
in terms of obtaining seed that is sufficiently large enough to withstand what might be on
occasion harsh environmental conditions in terms of wind and wave action. Until recently
Seasalter (Walney) Ltd. was the only hatchery in the UK routinely producing O. edulis spat
for the commercial cultivation industry. However, seed is now also available from the Ardtoe
Hatchery in Scotland run by Viking Fish Farms Ltd.