Background & History
Belbin Native Seafoods is a rapidly growing, highly reputable seafood suppliers owned and run by Dale and Louise. Belbin Native Seafoods supply a wide range of locally sourced seafood but have made the decision to specialise in local Mersea Oysters due to the fantastic reputation these oysters have throughout restaurants and homes across the country. Unusually, Dale is a first
-generation oysterman which has given him a unique perspective on this traditional craft. Dale, together with his partner Louise, have developed their business with a refreshing, down to earth approach that prioritises sustainability and quality. They also see the low overheads, and wide reach of the internet, as a natural way to sell their high-quality seafood. Our Oysters
Belbin Native Seafoods supply two main types of oyster, the Mersea Native Oyster and the West Mersea Wild Pacific Oysters. As the name suggests, Wild Pacific Oysters exist in the wild and are sustainably fished from traditional oyster beds in inter-tidal waters of the River Blackwater Estuary, Mersea Island. These wild oysters are brought into the creeks surrounding Mersea to fatten them up and give them the unique Mersea flavour. They develop from seed to market over 2 to 3 years depending on the size required. The Mersea Native Oyster is a well-known, historical variant of oyster first remarked upon by Pliny The Elder when the Romans first arrived in Kent. Pliny claimed that they were the finest oysters anywhere in the Roman world and before too long they were being packed in ice and transported across the Alps, or even dragged in nets behind ships returning to the Mediterranean. Luckily, due to Belbin Native Seafoods, customers do not need to go to such extreme lengths and can order these sumptuous oysters online for delivery. Processing In Brief
Belbin Native Seafoods have developed a knack for catching the very best oysters in their boat and processing them in a unique manner designed to maximise flavour and minimise contamination. This approach has resulted in a Food Hygiene Rating of 5 and their oysters test below the lowest detectable e-coli levels. Oysters are kept in tanks with water transported by bowser from the sea, which utilises the same water that they grow in naturally. Delivery Info
When the decision was taken to use an online order and delivery service Belbin Native Seafoods
went back to first principles and looked for the most hygienic, sustainable, and practical packaging
available. Traditionally, oysters are packed in a wooden box, but there are issues that mean this is not always
the best choice, so the decision was taken to use wax cardboard boxes. Cardboard boxes are more
sustainable, they are easier to recycle, and perhaps even more importantly, they offer the higher
levels of hygiene Dale wanted for his product. They are then put inside a “Chilltek” bubble
bag with a “Sorbatek” icepack to ensure the product is maintained at the optimum temperature
while in transit. All of this is then packaged inside a second wax cardboard box giving it the modern,
clean, crisp white look that Dale and Louise Belbin aim for. With every box of oysters sent from the premises there is also a food standard label that
contains important information relating to who, when, and where the oysters were harvested from. The label ensures Dale and Louise can trace the oysters back to a specific batch.
Our shipping price is £7.50 and we offer delivery to all mainland addresses across the UK. Orders need to be placed by 6pm the day before dispatch this gives us time to make sure your order is put into the system and will be sent the next day for a delivery by 4pm the following day. For instance, if you wanted oysters delivered on a Thursday you would need to place your order by 6pm on Tuesday to ensure your order can be packed and sent.
