In a bid to restore Britain’s oyster population, conservationists from the Wild Oysters Project have introduced 10,000 European native oysters (Ostrea edulis) to a new underwater reef ‘the size of a football pitch’ (7,500sqm) off the coast of North East England.
Native oysters were once widespread along the British coastline and created an important habitat for other marine species. However, since the 19th century, habitat loss, pollution and over-harvesting have resulted in a 95% decline in the population.
Why oysters matter
Wild Oysters Project Manager, Celine Gamble, said: “Native oyster reefs have disappeared from our British coastline, and with this we have also lost the benefits that they bring, such as providing essential habitat for other marine species.
"They‘re capable of filtering approximately 200 litres of water a day – around a bathtub’s worth – which in turn contributes towards improving our coastal water quality.
“We’re determined to bring the species back from the brink of extinction, which will in turn help contribute towards healthier and more resilient coastal waters across the UK.”
Local Wild Oysters Marine Ecology Technical Lead, Ashleigh Tinlin-Mackenzie, added: “Oysters have historically been a part of the local culture - with signs of oysters present through ‘oyster saloons’ in Tynemouth and oyster specialist fish markets in South Shields in the mid 1800s, as well as Oystershell Hall, once situated on Oystershell Lane in Newcastle city centre – but this is the first time they’ve been restored to our waters, where they have long been absent, until now."
The location of the oyster reef was carefully selected by the Wild Oysters Project for its suitable substrate, water depth and proximity to the oyster nurseries in Sunderland Marina.
Workers then deposited over 750 tonnes of cultch – a mix of old stones and scallop shells - onto the seabed off the coast of Sunderland, forming the foundation for a new underwater marine ecosystem.
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How will the reef evolve?
The Wild Oysters Project (a partnership between the Zoological Society of London, Blue Marine Foundation, British Marine and local delivery partner Groundwork North East and Cumbria) hopes that the 10,000 oysters will release the next generation of baby oysters to the seabed, which will in turn settle and grow on the reef, boosting the native oyster population in the UK.
In time, the reef will become an important habitat for many species of marine wildlife, including species such as the European eel, blue mussel, seabass, brittle star species, crab species, nudibranchs and pipefish.
The project was made possible thanks to £1.18 million raised by players of People’s Postcode Lottery.
