- The European stocks of flat oyster Ostrea edulis are endangered, mainly because of excessive fishing and heavy impact of two aetiological agents Bonamia sp. and Marteilia refringens. However, aquaculture could represent an alternative to trawling and a good opportunity of diversification, especially in Italy, where the entire production cycle could be computed. During the present study we evaluated a technique for offshore natural larvae collection, in Northern Adriatic, between May 2014 and March 2015. The use of lantern nets, full of 35 meters of polyethylene strap by shelf, and tied at a deepness of 5-12 meters to a long-line in off-shore, gave promising results, with a collection efficiency of 2 individuals/dm2, at a very low cost. In these environmental conditions, the fattening period until calibre 3, a classic commercial size, can be computed in 16 months, reducing the risk of disease outbreaks. No OIE-listed diseases were diagnosed in wild adult individuals from local population. The larvae presence in adults was observed during June, August and September suggesting several releases during summer.