We love our Solent and are always very excited to read about the various local conservation and sustainability projects. One such exciting story is the start of a project last month, to re-introduce native oysters to Cowes Harbour waters. Funded by the Cowes Harbour Commission and in partnership with the Blue Marine Foundation, the Cowes-based charity UKSA, is creating the Isle of Wight’s first oyster regeneration project.
UKSA, a maritime youth charity which provides life-enhancing water-based adventures, education, and world-leading maritime training, will be aiding the restoration with the breeding and growing of oysters in high densities.
To get the project underway as soon as possible, Cowes Harbour Commission has funded the initial oyster stock and the baskets, that since mid-October are hanging in the water beneath UKSA’s pontoons. UKSA, with a number of its students, visited the Blue Marine’s base at the University of Portsmouth, to help with the cleaning of the oysters. On the big day itself, local primary school children were invited to assist putting them in to their new home.
A total of 1,000 juvenile oysters have been introduced, with the hope that they will release millions of larvae and start forming large reefs.
Oysters are “ecosystem engineers”, with a single oyster being able to filter up to 200 litres of water every day, as well as acting as a natural defence to coastal erosion.
Despite once supporting the largest native oyster fishery in Europe, after a significant decline in the oyster population, oyster fisher on The Solent collapsed in 2013. Native oyster reefs in the UK have declined by 95 percent due to many pressures such as overfishing, pollution, disease etc. They are classified as a “priority species” in the UK’s Biodiversity Action Plan, and restoration is a high priority – at a national and global level.
For over 35 years UKSA has been inspiring and supporting children and young people to broaden their horizons through water-based adventures, education and training for careers at sea. They rely on donors and sponsorship to ensure that everyone, from all walks of life, can access their programmes – and they are of course always keen to welcome volunteers!
Picture credits – images kindly provided by UKSA
