THE oyster has been an alleged aphrodisiac for centuries. Roman Emperors are said to have sent slaves to the shores of England to gather them, and they were considered to be worth their weight in gold. Casanova was even said to have eaten five dozen oysters first thing every day – but what is the evidence for the oyster’s aphrodisiac reputation? And how can Scotland’s aquaculture industry help spice up the love lives of shellfish lovers across the globe?

Dr Malcolm Dickson, the aquaculture editor for leading professional magazines Fish Farmer and Fish Farming Today, says: “The aphrodisiac capacity of oysters depends largely on their content of a chemical called dopamine. Dopamine is a neurotransmitter and helps influence sexual desire. To get the best dose of dopamine, as it were, oyster lovers hold the oyster in their mouths for several minutes before swallowing – this allows greater absorption of the chemical.

“Oysters are also said to be successful potency-boosters because of their high levels of the essential trace mineral zinc. Zinc is not a magic love mineral, but it’s crucial for men’s sexual health. Men with zinc-deficient diets are at risk of prostate problems. Men and women with zinc deficiencies suffer infertility and libido loss.”

Oysters are part of a growing shellfish sector in the UK, to be discussed at the premier UK aqua-farming conference, Aquaculture Today 2005. More than 250 tonnes of oysters are farmed in Scotland each year. Alongside the mussel industry, they are the main species produced in terms of value and tonnage, with an ongoing upward trend in increased production.

In less than two decades, the amount of farmed seafood produced throughout the world will exceed production from wild fisheries for the first time as wild stocks decline.

Topics on the Edinburgh conference’s agenda include:

· Aquaculture markets

· Aquatic animal health including breeding disease resistant fish

· Ecological effects of sealice medicines

· Shellfish toxin management

· Shellfish and fin fish industry codes of practice

Aquaculture Today 2005 takes place on 13 and 14 April 2005 at The Marriott Hotel in Edinburgh. Further information about the conference can be found at www.aquaculturetoday.co.uk or by calling 0845 241 3444.

Ends

For further information, including interview opportunies, please contact Katrina Dunbar, on 01224 654086 or mobile 07780 680757. High resolution images are available.

Notes to editor:

Aquaculture Today 2005 is being organised by Marine Division, part of Special Publications which produces the leading trade magazines for the seafood industry.

· Production of Scottish aquaculture products is worth more than £500m a year, according to Scottish Executive figures, and now accounts for around half of all Scottish food exports.

· Aquaculture supports just under 2,000 jobs directly in Scotland, with another 4-5000 jobs partly reliant on the industry.

· 1500 jobs in the Scottish Highlands are entirely dependent on fish, shellfish and seaweed farming, with another 3,750 positions supported by the industry.

· According to estimates from the Food and Agriculture Organisation, environmental concerns surrounding marine populations in the wild means that aquaculture will become the prime source of seafood for the world’s consumers by 2020.

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