The island also has a number of businesses that support water based leisure activities including marine engineers, chandlers, boat yards and sail makers. Mersea has always been an important player in the oyster market bringing in the famed 'Mersea Native Oysters' and distributing to many restaurants. It is rumoured that if you eat an oyster in London, it is more than likely to come from Mersea. Mersea is very much a summer tourist area and during peak months the population swells with many holiday makers and day visitors.