Trawler nets Britain’s largest-ever oyster

A trawler in Scotland’s Shetland Islands has netted what experts say may be the largest oyster ever caught in Britain, an 8-inch, 2.2-pound specimen.

The trawler Fidelitas was 27 miles off the island of Bressay when it brought up the shell, the BBC reported.

Fidelitas skipper Mark Anderson brought the oyster to the University of the Highlands and Islands Marine Center, which documented its dimensions.

“Native oysters are relatively rare in Shetland waters and for one to be caught in a trawl is very unusual,” Marine Center researcher Beth Leslie said. “This oyster was also found at around 120m (400 feet), which is much deeper than would be expected for this species. Although it is not possible to accurately age the shell, it is possible that this individual could have been living for decades.”

The largest oyster ever recorded anywhere in the world was found in Chesapeake Bay in the United States, measuring almost 12 inches across. (UPI)