In a bid to address declining oyster populations and combat sea pollution, approximately 10,000 native oysters have been introduced to a manmade reef off the North East coast. Positioned off Whitburn, South Tyneside, the underwater platform aims to foster a new marine ecosystem by using over 750 tonnes of old stones and scallop shells deposited on the seabed. This initiative, spearheaded by the Wild Oysters Project, seeks to harness the molluscs’ natural ability to filter pollutants, particularly nitrogen, by absorbing them into their shells and tissues.
Recognized as the “superheroes” of the oceans, each oyster can filter an impressive 200 liters of water daily—equivalent to filling a bath. The oysters, embedded in the local North East culture with historical ties to oyster saloons and fish markets, will not be cultivated for consumption but left to reproduce and potentially spread to other coastal waters. National oyster numbers have plummeted by over 95% since the 1800s due to habitat loss, over-harvesting, pollution, and disease. The collaborative effort involving the Zoological Society of London, Blue Marine Foundation, British Marine, and Groundwork North East and Cumbria aims to revive native oyster reefs, contributing to healthier and more resilient coastal waters across the UK. Project manager Celine Gamble expresses optimism for the thriving and growth of the oysters on the football pitch-sized reef, emphasizing the crucial role in bringing the species back from the brink of extinction.
Whitburn: 10,000 oysters released on to reef to help clean sea – BBC News