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Thousands of oysters deployed in Belfast Lough to help revive endangered species

Cara Bradley and Dr Nick Baker Horne from Ulster Wildlife join Simon Gibson (centre) from Belfast Harbour to mark the deployment of thousands of European oysters onto the seabed in Belfast Lough – the first of a kind initiative in Northern Ireland to bring back this endangered species and the incredible reef habitat it creates. 

Thousands of European oysters have been placed on the seabed of Belfast Lough, marking a major step towards bringing this threatened native species, and its lost reef habitats, back to life.

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In a first for Northern Ireland, local nature conservation charity Ulster Wildlife has deployed 2,000 adult European oysters (Ostrea edulis) and more than 30,000 juvenile oysters, called spat, grown on scallop and mussel shells. 

This marks the charity’s next step in plans to restore oyster reefs – vital habitats that support the recovery of this threatened 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, in Bangor, Glenarm, Belfast Harbour and Carrickfergus, to help bring the native species back from the brink.   

Supported by Ulster Wildlife members, Belfast Harbour and DAERA, via the Carrier Bag Levy, this innovative pilot project will scale up the restoration of wild populations. As the oysters grow into adults, they will form a vital reef habitat supporting the health of our seas. 

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 provide coastal defences and vital habitat for juvenile fish. 

Oyster deployment launch at Belfast Lough 2

Cara Bradley and Dr Nick Baker Horne from Ulster Wildlife join Simon Gibson (centre) from Belfast Harbour to mark the deployment of thousands of European oysters onto the seabed in Belfast Lough – the first of a kind initiative in Northern Ireland to bring back this endangered species and the incredible reef habitat it creates. 

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 all sorts of marine life.

 

 

Dr Nick Baker-Horne, Marine Conservation Manager with Ulster Wildlife, said: “This is a huge step forward in helping to restore this small but mighty ocean superhero. Over the past four years, our nurseries have thrived, and we have learned so much 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 all sorts of marine life. I'm excited to watch the oysters develop and use what we learn 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 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.” 

Find out more about our work to bring back the European oyster

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Editor's Notes

About the European oyster Ostrea edulis 

  • European oyster reefs are one of the most imperilled habitats globally. Oyster reefs were once abundant in European seas but sadly, it is estimated that populations have declined by 95% since the 19th century. 
  • The European oyster is a Priority Species in the UK and Northern Ireland, requiring conservation action because of its decline, rarity and importance in an all-Ireland and UK context. It is also included in the OSPAR List of Threatened and Declining Species and Habitats for the North-East Atlantic.
  • Ulster Wildlife manages four native oyster nurseries at Bangor Marina, Belfast Harbour, Glenarm and Carrickfergus. Together, they aim to bring the European oyster back from the brink of extinction. The shellfish are not for consumption.
  • An individual European oyster produces lots of larvae to ensure that some survive to adulthood – one oyster can release up to 1 million larvae per year! They can change sex, so there is always the correct ratio of males to females, and by housing oysters close together in cages, it encourages them to spawn. 
  • Left undisturbed on the seabed, European oysters will form reefs by growing on top of each other. These unique 3-dimensional habitats enhance biodiversity by providing shelter and food for a variety of species, including commercially fished species. 
  • European oyster reefs can act as carbon sinks due to the drawdown of sediments together with the stabilising effect of the reef, although the ecosystem benefit is complicated. However, existing oyster reefs can protect considerable stores of carbon that should be protected to avoid further releases of carbon into the atmosphere. 
  • Many of the oysters on sale and eaten in the UK and Ireland today are Pacific oysters. This is an invasive species, and was brought here intentionally from Japan in the 1970’s following the demise of the European oyster.
  • More at www.ulsterwildlife.org/native-oysters 

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