Today, on World Oyster Day 2021 we are reflecting on a year since the launch of The Wild Oysters Project.
Last year on 5th August on World Oyster Day, ZSL (Zoological Society of London), BLUE (Blue Marine Foundation) and British Marine announced that we had been successfully awarded £1.18m by the Postcode Dream Trust, with the aim of restoring Britain’s seas to health through the restoration of the native oyster! A year on, we thought that it would be the perfect time to update you on the progress of our project…
We are delighted to share that our three restoration sites around the UK have been established with our Local Delivery Partners, despite the logistical challenges of national lockdowns and restrictions. We have installed a total of 142 oyster nurseries into 6 marina and port sites around the country, in Tyne & Wear NE England, Conwy Bay in North Wales, and Firth of Clyde in Scotland.
Our oyster nurseries contain a total of over 4,000 mature native oysters. As the sea temperatures increase naturally during the summer months, our oysters have begun to reproduce and release oyster larvae into the ocean. These larvae will eventually settle onto the seabed, helping us to restore wild oyster populations locally.
Our Local Project Officers have been working with local volunteers to monitor the progress of our oyster nurseries for survival and biodiversity. We have recorded over 42 different marine species in our oyster nurseries across our three sites so far, some examples include: the critically endangered European Eel, Sea scorpion fish, butter fish and several Nudibranch species.
Alongside our restoration activities, we have engaged with over 14,000 members of the general public, delivered education sessions to over 1,100 students and had the support from over 70 volunteers to monitor and care for our oyster nurseries. So far, the support from our volunteers has equated to over 3,160 hours!
We need your help! We are looking for more fantastic volunteers to help us to monitor and care for our oysters in the following locations:
-
Sunderland Marina and Port of Blyth in Tyne & Wear, NE England.
If you are interested in learning more about our education programme with primary school students in Tyne & Wear, visit our website here.
-
Yacht Haven and Fairlie Quay Marina in Firth of Clyde, Scotland.
-
Conwy Marina and Deganwy Marina in Conwy Bay, Wales.
If you are interested in volunteering with us, please email us to sign up and include your local site in the subject line. If you are not able to get to one of our sites, then you can help us remotely by helping us with our Oyster Watch:
The Wild Oysters Project is a national collaboration, led by ZSL, BLUE and British Marine, working with the marine industry and local delivery partners: Groundwork Northeast and Cumbria, Bangor University and Clyde Porpoise CIC, to deliver restoration sites in England, Scotland and Wales.
Select a blog
Our people are our greatest asset and we realise our vision for a world where wildlife thrives through their ideas, skills and passion. An inspired, informed and empowered community of people work, study and volunteer together at ZSL.
At ZSL, a key area of our work is the employment of Nature-based Solutions – an approach which both adapt to and mitigates the impacts of climate change. These Solutions, which include habitat protection and restoration, are low-cost yet high-impact, and provide multiple benefits to people and wildlife. We ensure that biodiversity recovery is at the heart of nature-based solutions.
A blog for lovers of ZSL London Zoo, bringing you extraordinary animal facts and exclusive access to the world's oldest scientific zoo.
Do you love wildlife? Discover more about our amazing animals at the UK's biggest zoo!
We're working around the world to conserve animals and their habitats, find out more about our latest achievements.
From the field to the lab, catch up with the scientists on the cutting edge of conservation biology at ZSL’s Institute of Zoology.
A day in Discovery and Learning at ZSL is never dull! The team tell us all about the exciting sessions for school children, as well as work further afield.
Every month, one of the pieces held in ZSL’s Library and at ZSL Whipsnade Zoo will feature here as Artefact of the Month.
Read testimonials from our Members and extracts from ZSL's award winning members' magazine, Wild About.
ZSL works across Asia, from the famous national parks of Nepal to marine protected areas in the Philippines. Read the latest updates on our conservation.
An Open Access journal for research at the interface of remote sensing, ecology and conservation.
