Barnes Wild Bluff Oysters general manager Graeme Wright yesterday said the season, which started on Sunday, was looking promising.
‘‘We had a good start with boats returning with a good catch.’’
He said customers were already lined up and waiting when the store opened on Monday.
‘‘The demand continues to be high.’’
To fill that demand, it was full steam ahead for oyster openers at the factory in Invercargill.
Mr Wright said on average one worker opened 10 oysters per minute.
Among them was Peg Bishop, who had been opening oysters for 18 years.
Last year, she came second in the women’s competition at the Bluff Oyster Festival.
The oyster season ends on August 31.