Oysters run scarce, beset by a sea of challenges in Canada

Christmas can be a time of indulgence and decadence, but one local menu item that slides between those categories might prove a little more difficult to track down this festive season. Local oysters are more elusive than usual, with some restaurants offering a limited variety of the local bivalves and many markets offering little or none for sale. That might seem odd in a region known for its world-class mollusks, but industry experts say it shouldn’t come as a ­surprise. Myriad factors are limiting the supply of local oysters in Greater Victoria’s restaurants and shops, said Nico Prins, ­executive director of the B.C. Shellfish Growers Association. Prins said when you group toget­her the high cost of ­production, labour, trans­porta­tion, regulation, issues around working in a ­temperamental and changing climate, an ­inflationary environment that has consumers a little shy about spending, and an ­appealing export market willing to pay a premium, it’s no wonder local shellfish are ...