Fishermen "battled" through the weather in improving conditions to bring in the delectable molluscs which are much sought after by seafood lovers throughout the country.
Barnes Oysters manager Graeme Wright yesterday afternoon said his factory, which handled about a half of the oysters caught, was expecting about 4000 dozen oysters to arrive.
It was the best first day they had experienced in a while, he said.
Last year's opening was delayed because of bad weather.
"They battled through and while the weather upset things a bit, for the first catch of the season it's marvellous," he said yesterday.
As for whether the oysters lived up to expectations of being "bigger and better" than last year, he said they would not know until the oysters were opened up for sale tomorrow.
Oysters were expected to be at fish retailers in Dunedin as early as noon tomorrow or by Tuesday morning.
