The Home of Whitstable Oysters
- PGI Protected
- Freehold beds
- SALSA Accredited
Since 1793, the Whitstable Oyster Fishery Company has cultivated, harvested and supplied oysters from the historic shores of Whitstable. Today, we continue that tradition with the same commitment to quality and craftsmanship that has defined the company for generations.
Our History
For over two millennia Whitstable’s connection with oysters has been celebrated, since the Romans started to ship our oysters back to Rome as a prized delicacy in 80 AD.
The Whitstable Oyster Fishery Company, established in 1793, has been part of that story ever since, helping to preserve and develop this remarkable heritage that has become an essential part of the town’s identity and history.
Today
Today, the Green Family continue the legacy started by the Whitstable Oyster Fishery Company over 230 years ago — to cultivate and supply Native and Rock Oysters from Whitstable’s historic freehold beds to restaurants, wholesalers and seafood lovers across the UK.
Two Oysters. One Heritage.
From our freehold beds in the Thames Estuary, we produce two distinct varieties of oyster: the Native Whitstable Oyster and the Pacific Rock Oyster.
From the delicate complexity of our Native Oysters to the plump, fresh character of our Rocks, both are shaped by their unique environment where nutrient-rich estuary water meets the saltier waters of the North Sea.
Protected Provenance
Our Native Whitstable Oysters hold Protected Geographical Indication (PGI) status, recognising their unique connection to Whitstable and the heritage behind their cultivation that makes them distinct.
Pioneering Safety
From water to harvest, every Whitstable Oyster is carefully monitored. All our oysters are purified for at least 48 hours in our on-site facility, with every batch undergoing microbiological testing. With the University of Kent, we are developing new approaches to norovirus testing.
What else we are part of
From Whitstable to the Sherbro River
Since 2013, James Green and the Whitstable Oyster Fishery Company have partnered with the Environmental Justice Foundation and the Darwin Initiative to promote sustainable oyster farming in Sierra Leone, reducing destructive harvesting and creating lasting economic opportunities for women.
Learn more
A guided walk onto our own beds at low tide
Led by one of our experienced oyster farmers, our tours provide an opportunity to get an up-close look at our farm and learn about the production process of oysters from seed to sale.
Book a tour
The FISH4ACP project
As part of the FISH4ACP programme, James Green is working in partnership with the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations to develop sustainable mangrove oyster aquaculture in The Gambia, creating employment and improving incomes for women in oyster farming communities.
Learn moreServed at some of the best tables locally and across the UK
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Royal Native Oyster Stores Whitstable
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The Lobster Shack Whitstable
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The Forge Whitstable
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Hotel Continental Whitstable
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The Oyster Shed Whitstable
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Pearson's Arms Whitstable
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Angela's Margate
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Wheelers Oyster Bar Whitstable
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Moxon’s London
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Crabworks Whitstable
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The Andover Arms London
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The Briny Portsmoth
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The Neptune Whitstable
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Domaine Evremond Chilham
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Birdies Whitstable
