Who we are
Magilligan Strand Oyster Farm: A New Era in Irish Oyster Production
Magilligan Strand Oyster Farm has seized a unique opportunity by acquiring a significant aquaculture site in Lough Foyle, Ireland. This venture is driven by a commitment to producing top-quality oysters while leveraging extensive experience in the fishing industry. The site's exceptional meat content make it a prime location for oyster cultivation. Located just off the mouth of the River Roe, this strategic positioning adds to the mineral feed for the oysters, enhancing their growth potential. With a strong emphasis on sustainability and growth, Magilligan Strand Oyster Farm aims to establish itself as a leading producer and exporter of Irish oysters.
Leveraging Experience and Expertise
The founding team of Magilligan Strand Oyster Farm is comprised of two seasoned professionals with a deep understanding of the oyster fishing industry. Paul, with over 20 years of experience, has honed his skills in buying and trading oysters with buyers in Europe and beyond, developing a keen eye for quality and a strong network of contacts. Andrew, meanwhile, brings a wealth of knowledge and expertise to the table, having spent years as a skilled oyster fisherman and skipper of white fish trawlers over 25 meters. Their extensive experience in Lough Foyle and lough Swilly has given them a unique understanding of the waters and the oyster populations that inhabit them. Both Paul and Andrew have boats in the Swilly and the Foyle, where they hold dredging licenses, allowing them to fish for oysters in these prime locations. With their combined expertise and experience, they have established a successful oyster farm that produce thee highest-quality oysters for local and international markets.
Mairead, the company's Business Development Executive. Strategic vision and industry experience. Mairead has played a pivotal role in the setup and growth of the business, in her multifaceted role. Her business experience will be instrumental in establishing Magilligan Strand Oyster Farm as a leading producer and exporter of premium Irish oysters on the global stage.
We do it different
Magilligan Strand Oyster Farm is an offshore operation, strategically situated to leverage the unique advantages of its prime location. Unlike traditional coastal oyster farms, our facility is only accessible by boat, allowing us to cultivate our oysters in the deeper, nutrient-rich waters of Lough Foyle. Its' offshore positioning provides us with the ideal conditions to nurture our oysters from the earliest stages of their growth cycle.
By starting our oysters in the deeper waters, we are able to harness the enhanced growth potential offered by this environment, giving our oysters a head start in their development. As they mature, we then carefully transfer them to shallower water, where they are placed on specialized trestles. This meticulous approach allows us to fine-tune the conditions to suit the wave height, ensuring that our oysters are protected and able to thrive throughout their entire life cycle.
This strategic, multi-stage cultivation process, combined with our offshore location, sets Magilligan Strand Oyster Farm apart as a true leader in the industry. Our commitment to leveraging the natural advantages of our site, while maintaining the highest standards of care and sustainability, is what sets our premium oysters apart from the rest.
All about Location
Strategically situated at the mouth of the Roe River towards Magilligan, our farm is uniquely positioned to harness the exceptional benefits of its prime location. The confluence of the Atlantic Ocean and the nutrient-rich waters of the Roe, flowing down from the Sperrin Mountains, creates an unparalleled environment for our oysters to thrive.
This seaward positioning grants us a distinct advantage, as we are the closest oyster farm to the open ocean. This strategic location significantly reduces the risk of exposure to diseases such as norovirus, which can often plague coastal farms. Furthermore, the golden sandy seabed beneath our feet provides warmer water temperatures compared to the other farms along the Lough Foyle shoreline, further enhancing the growth and development of our Super speciale oysters.
Importantly, our farm is situated within a designated Special Area of Conservation, with fishing grounds surrounding it. This means we are not surrounded by other farms, eliminating the risk of disease transfer from neighboring operations. This unique isolation, combined with our exceptional water quality and ideal growing conditions, allows us to cultivate our oysters with the utmost care and attention, ensuring the highest standards of quality and sustainability.
Magilligan-Strand-Oyster-Farm: in an Oyster-Shell!
In conclusion, Magilligan Strand Oyster Farm is poised to revolutionize the oyster industry with its cutting-edge approach to cultivation. By leveraging the unique benefits of its offshore location, we can produce high-quality oysters with exceptional meat content and a sweet, succulent taste. The natural movement of the sea has also allowed us to create oysters with beautiful, unique shapes that are unmatched in the industry. With our commitment to sustainability and quality, we are confident that our Super speciale oysters will meet the highest standards of our customers.