'Clean water is secret behind world-renowned oysters'

Mark and Penny Dravers say their oysters' unique selling point is the island's clean waters

Guernsey's clean, disease-free water is the secret ingredient behind an island's global reputation for high-quality oysters, according to the owners of a hatchery.

Guernsey Sea Farms' co-founder Mark Dravers said the "blue economy" - sustainable marine businesses - had become "very fashionable" and had contributed to the farm gaining millions of customers around the world.

The farm, based in a disused quarry in northern Guernsey, produces juvenile oysters which are then grown to full size once shipped.

He said the island's clean water is "really important" for achieving paperwork to certify exports as disease-free, which is a "unique selling point".

Co-founder Penny Dravers said the farm shipped "tens of millions of oysters" around the world, including to Canada and Peru.

"People often confuse us with Herm oysters," Mrs Dravers said, "but in fact we don't produce the final product... the oyster that you'll get at a restaurant."

When they send shipments to places such as South Africa, they can have a million oysters in a single polystyrene box, weighing about 10 kilos.

"We'll have a million there and that could be worth £10,000," Mr Dravers said.

The couple believe the reason customers buy from them is because of "the reputation of Guernsey's waters".

After more than 40 years in the business, Mr and Mrs Dravers are starting to hand things over to "the next generation"

Mrs Dravers said the farm had strict biosecurity procedures in place to protect the water quality and oysters.

Visitors have to go through a detailed biosecurity induction on arrival, as well as a "water bath that people have to walk through".

Mr Dravers said the farm did not import any oysters in order to maintain biosecurity, despite the island's waters having no native oysters.

He said they also had controls in place to protect against invasive species, such as filtered and ultraviolet treated water.

After more than 40 years in the business, the couple have started to take a more hands-off approach and hand over the reins to "the next generation", Mr Dravers said.

"We're really pleased to show people that there's something going on in Guernsey that isn't just finance," he said.