Ray Dassoo, known as Gian by most of his acquaintances, exudes an unbelievable joie de vivre. The fact that he cannot walk does not worry him excessively and he refuses to be seen as disabled. Actually, the only thing he cannot do is walk. Except for what he considers as a “detail”, he can do everything and most importantly his job: selling seafood and oysters.

Gian does not only sell them, he has been a professional high seas fisherman for more than 40 years. From March to September, he enjoys diving to look for oysters. This inhabitant of Mahebourg puts to sea everyday as from 5am after doing some physical exercise.

Like many children of his generation, Gian was affected by poliomyelitis when he was five. This has never prevented him from having oysters of the “best-quality available on the island.” His five brothers taught him his job that he can do thanks to his flippers.

<B>Cleaning and opening</B>

“Oysters can be found between fresh and salt water. Many sellers give oysters to customers as soon as they take them out of the water, which is not really safe for health,” Gian says. He explains how he leaves his oysters in salt water for about one week after finding them. As a consequence, oysters are totally clean as salt kills all bacteria and they have a better taste. They are not bland.

He collects an average of 50,000 to 60,000 oysters during the season each year. Selling all of them is not a problem. «I have a lot of important customers coming from all parts of the country. People come to Mahebourg just to buy my oysters. This must be a sign of the high quality products I sell.”

He also offers services that are rarely found. After he takes the oysters back home, his wife and two daughters all give him a hand to clean them with a brush, and open them for the customers.

Gian is close to his family - many of his relatives live on the same premises - and to many of the villagers. He did a lot for Mahebourg when he was president of the village council and he still helps although he no longer holds this post.