Oyster boat operators near Bluff say they have worked very little over the past two months due to some of the worst stormy seas and heavy winds in decades.
They say the quality of the shell fish is the best it has been in years, but it's difficult to harvest.
Barnes Oysters says the company's boats worked only about 10 days in each of March and April.
Consequently, manager Graeme Wright says they have to work very hard on the few good weather days to make their quota.
Another operator, Bill Gold, says his boat worked 10 days in March, nine in April and three days so far this month.
The season ends in August.
