A landmark project to bring European flat oysters back to the Firth of Forth is reporting remarkable success, with monitoring showing the transplanted population is not just surviving but positively thriving.
Promising Growth and High Survival Rates
The initiative, named Restoration Forth, has recorded an average survival rate of approximately 88% among the oysters deployed. Scientific divers from Heriot-Watt University, who are leading the monitoring, made the encouraging assessment.
In a standout case, one oyster grew an impressive 2.1 centimetres in a single year. This significantly outpaces the expected annual growth of about 1cm under favourable conditions, indicating the oysters are settling into a healthy new environment.
A Collaborative Effort to Reverse a Century of Decline
The three-year restoration programme began in earnest last year, aiming to revive a species that had been driven to the brink of extinction in these waters. Historically, over-farming and deteriorating water quality led to the European flat oyster being classified as “collapsed” under the International Union for Conservation of Nature’s Red List criteria.
Since 2023, a total of 46,780 mature oysters have been carefully distributed across four specific sites within the Firth. These oysters were sourced sustainably from the Loch Ryan Oyster Fishery.
The project is a powerful collaboration between several key organisations:
- Heriot-Watt University
- The Marine Conservation Society
- The World Wildlife Foundation (WWF)
- The Scottish Seabird Centre
Engineers of a Healthier Marine Ecosystem
The oysters will remain in place for at least another two years, with scientists anticipating significant ecological benefits. Oysters act as natural water filters and contribute to carbon storage, while their shells create complex habitats that shelter other marine species, enhancing overall biodiversity.
Dr Naomi Kennon from Heriot-Watt University expressed her excitement: “These latest results from our monitoring are very exciting. It’s a huge boost to everyone involved... Oysters are incredible underwater engineers. We’re a long way off from the millions that once thrived here, but these results are promising and show the value of restoration work.”
Caitlin Godfrey from the Marine Conservation Society echoed this optimism: “We’re thrilled to see such a high survival rate... These oysters aren’t just surviving – they’re thriving, laying the groundwork for a healthier marine ecosystem and a brighter future for our seas.”
The success so far provides a strong foundation for the continued recovery of this vital native species in Scottish coastal waters.
