Bengt on the West Coast may have found the world’s largest oyster

Bengt and Viktor Klemming’s bottom find could make them world record holders.

With the world’s largest oysters.

– It hangs by the jetty in a net that I think we can show off to tourists who visit, says Bengt, 60.

For centuries, oysters have been a delicacy, today often served on a bed of ice together with a lemon wedge. Over a decade ago, a bug was fished up in Denmark. The record oyster measured 35 centimeters in length.

But now the record can be broken with a bang.

Thought there were two

Bengt Klemming, 60, and his son Viktor Klemming, 29, got hold of an oyster that measured 40 centimeters in length on Monday.

– At first I thought it was two oysters stuck together, but when I looked closer I realized it was a single oyster, says Bengt Klemming.

The oyster is a “Gigas”, also called a Japanese giant oyster, and originates from the Pacific Ocean. It is seen as an invasive species in Sweden where the flat oyster “Ostrea edelius” is the naturally occurring oyster.

What were you thinking when you picked up this oyster?

– I have seen large oysters before, 20 to 25 centimeters is nothing unusual, but this one, it was special. But I didn’t think much of it at first so we went home but then my son started doing some research on what the record was and that made us go back down to measure it.

Can be eaten

Although the giant oyster is an invasive species, it is still edible. It is also the most common oyster in restaurants, while the flat oyster is seen as a more luxurious option of which there are far fewer.

– It can be compared to a Koenigsegg and a Volkswagen. Nothing wrong with Volkswagen, but Koenigsegg is fewer and a more luxurious option, says Bengt Klemming.

Caterpillars from the continent

The gigas oyster is usually farmed in France and the Netherlands and from there larvae are believed to have made their way to both Denmark and Sweden and become an invasive species. Problems can arise, something that has already been noticed in Danmnark, but which is not noticed as badly in Sweden.

– They create reefs which risk destroying beaches in Denmark, but here in Bohuslän at least we have good control over it. It does not establish itself as quickly here because our waters are not as warm as down towards Denmark and the Netherlands.

Have contacted the Guinness Book of Records

Is there any value to it?

– Nothing at all except for me then, but it’s clear that if I were to put it out there, there’s sure to be an enthusiast who wants to take it.

Is it normal for them to grow this big?

– Desirable oysters are no bigger than twelve centimeters and growers don’t let them get bigger, but since these grow freely in the sea, they can grow much bigger. I often see big oysters but not as big as 40 centimeters like we found now.

What will happen to the oyster next?

– We have contacted Guinness World Records and we did that today, so we will see when they arrive, but I have heard that they usually go out on something like this. And then the oyster hangs by the pier in a net that I think we can show off to tourists who visit. Because we usually have some tourist trips where we fish for oysters, says Bengt Klemming.