Oysters are probably the safest farmed seafood you can eat. Whilst fish are often fed unnatural diets in the form of fish pellets, oysters don't require supplemental feed or chemical use. Since they are filter feeders, they are used to basically keep the water clean and protect it from eutrophication (accumulation of algae, nutrients and hence bacteria in the water), so that also makes them a favourite of those promoting sustainable seafood farming. I think the crown prince oysters are very good quality, they state that their seafood comes from "managed fisheries" and they do not use BPA in their cans. I'd trust a company that seems conscious of health risks of canned foods.

Crown Prince say their oysters are from Korea, so I think that would mean they're the Pacific Oyster variety, which has 222% of your daily value of zinc in 100 grams, and would also provide about 1 gr. omega-3, as well as 0.75 g of EPA and 0.43 g of DHA. So I think that if you regularly eat oysters (about 100 gr every 2 days or so) I think you can safely stop taking your zinc supplement. For variety, perhaps try getting your hands on some raw oysters, or fresh frozen ones (I buy frozen oysters online).

I wouldn't stop taking cod liver oil, though, especially fermented cod liver oil, simply because it contains many more benefits than just omega 3; fermented cod liver oil contains quinone complexes (combinations of vitamins K, E, CoQ enzymes, etc); the fermentation process makes the nutrients more bioavailable - especially vitamin A; it also contains a lot of vitamin D. So I wouldn't stop taking fermented CLO altogether.

Love

Milla

Fresh oysters have a very distinct smell,like clean sea water..they are glossy when raw(they only way to eat them,IMHO).Bad oysters have almost a urine type smell.If you are buying them fresh fresh,like from a seafood market,make sure the shells are tightly closed, and ask where they came from.Frozen raw,again,make sure the shells are closed.Check for signs of algae,moss or fungus.Be wary of raw shucked oysters,as you have to go by smell alone on those, and always check manufacture date/place of origin. If this seems like a lot,I live on the coast where you can go pull them out of the marsh.Little picky about my shellfish :)

If you are getting fresh oysters, you want to make sure the shells are unbroken and tightly closed (cannot pry them apart with your fingers). If there are open shells, they should close promptly after tapping. They should be stored on ice, and no older than 4 days from harvesting for optimum quality. You can store them in the fridge once you get home, in a bowl covered in a damp tea towel. I would keep them in there for a maximum of 2 days before eating. If you store them in a tight container, they will die. If you are shucking them, they are easier to open if you chill them in the freezer for 1 hr +.

If you are collecting them yourself, discuss with the local fisherman about red tide, just to make sure there isn't any (some places have signs up year round warning of red tide, so it's not all that useful in the end).

Alternative to fresh oysters: smoked, frozen, and canned. Smoked are so delicious, most local fish shops will have some smoked oysters around, either fresh or frozen, or you can request some and they're usually happy to bring them in. Frozen oysters are pretty great, you can usually get them from fish shops for a really good deal (it's easier for them to store in the freezer than to keep them fresh and sell them in the time window). Canned oysters are a great alternative, look for a BPA free can. I love canned smoked oysters, occasionally get a strong craving for them and just eat them whole! Also great flavour to be added to spreads and put on veggies.

My boyfriend used to part-own an oyster farm, and we had an unlimited supply. Look around for recipes, and you'll find it does not really ever get boring- oyster stew, barbequed oysters, raw oysters, smoked oysters...so good!

Korion, where are you located? I know there are several "prime" spots, where you can get amazing oysters for fairly cheap. I used to live in Tallahassee, FL, and we would get oysters from the Apalachicola that were FRESH and CHEAP! We'd buy them by the bushel! My local seafood market here in DE offers them as well, and I've seen many customers getting them. I haven't yet gotten them, since I haven't really had the time for a proper oyster-shuckin' party.