THOUSANDS OF OYSTERS DEPLOYED IN BELFAST LOUGH TO HELP REVIVE ENDANGERED SPECIES
Thousands of European oysters have been placed on the seabed of Belfast Lough, marking a major step in efforts to revive this near-extinct native species.
In a first for Northern Ireland, local nature conservation charity Ulster Wildlife has deployed 2,000 adult European oysters (Ostrea edulis) and 30,000 juvenile oysters, called spat, attached to shells. This marks the next step in plans to restore oyster reefs – vital habitats that support the recovery of this endangered species and deliver wider benefits for people and the marine environment.
European oysters disappeared from Belfast Lough more than a century ago, due to overfishing, pollution and habitat loss. A small surviving number were discovered in 2020, inspiring Ulster Wildlife to establish a network of protected nurseries, including one at Belfast Harbour’s City Quays, to help bring the native species back from the brink.
Supported by Belfast Harbour and DAERA, via the Carrier Bag Levy, the innovative pilot project will scale-up the restoration of wild populations. As the oysters grow, they will release millions of larvae into the Lough each year. European oysters, and other shellfish, help improve water quality, as each adult oyster can filter up to 200 litres of water a day – roughly the equivalent of a bath – removing nutrients and, in time, helping to reduce coastal erosion.
Dr Nick Baker-Horne, Marine Conservation Manager with Ulster Wildlife, said: “This is a significant step forward in helping to restore this small but mighty ocean superhero. Over the past four years, our nurseries have thrived and we have gained invaluable knowledge about these fantastic ecosystem engineers. Deploying them onto the seabed is the next step to restore our lost oyster reefs and, alongside our nurseries we hope the population will grow, and create thriving habitats for a host of marine life. We will be watching the oysters closely to guide even bigger deployment projects in Belfast Lough in the future.”
The oysters, delivered from The Oyster Restoration Company (TORC) from Scotland, were cleaned, screened and measured before being deployed onto the seabed at low tide by a team of staff and volunteers from the local nature conservation charity. Regular checks will be conducted to assess their survival and growth.
Simon Gibson, Marine, Environment & Biodiversity Officer at Belfast Harbour, added:
“The seabed deployment is an exciting expansion of the current drive to restore European oysters within Belfast Lough. This project, a first for NI will support Belfast Harbour’s sustainability ambitions by promoting improved water quality and bolstering marine biodiversity. We are proud to play our part in this pioneering project.”
