The Wild Oysters Project, which is restoring Conwy Bay’s oyster beds, has scooped a top prize for their incredible work.
Bangor University is the local partner with international conservation charity ZSL (Zoological Society of London), along with Blue Marine Foundation (Blue Marine) and British Marine. They have won the inaugural Great British Wildlife Restoration award, from a shortlist of 21 other native species projects in the special native species competition organised by BIAZA (the British and Irish Association of Zoos and Aquariums).
Members of Parliament and the House of Lords voted for The Wild Oysters Project
The competition highlighted the role of good zoos, aquariums and others in protecting and restoring UK wildlife through field conservation work, habitat restoration and education.
The Wild Oysters Project leaders were presented the award by Speaker of the House of Commons, Sir Lindsay Hoyle MP, at a special reception held at Speaker's House.
The Wild Oysters Project, supported locally by partners Groundwork North East and Cumbria and Bangor University, aims to restore Britain’s seas to health through the restoration of the native oyster after the species declined by 95%, with the dramatic decrease due to a combination of habitat loss, pollution, disease and over-harvesting.
Just last year (2 October 2023) the project’s marine conservationists successfully released 10,000 European flat oysters onto a 7,500sqm newly created underwater living reef - marking a landmark moment in the restoration of the native species to UK shores - with similar plans for native oyster reef in North Wales this summer.
The ambitious project set up 141 oyster nurseries underneath marina pontoons across three restoration hubs - which acted as maternity wards for young oysters and continued to monitor these mature oysters with the support of 428 citizen scientist volunteers. More than 30,535 students and 82,127 members of general public engaged with the project, understanding how to care for the marine environment and spread the word about the importance of a native oyster population in the UK.
The Wild Oyster Project
As the UK is officially one of the world's most nature-depleted countries, it was inspiring to be involved in the celebration to raise the profiles of UK based conservation efforts to protect and restore the natural world on our doorstep. The Wild Oysters Project feel very privileged to have the support from members of Parliament and the House of Lords for our work to restore native oysters in Conwy Bay in North Wales and Tyne and Wear in Northeast England. We hope to see healthy, resilient, coastal waters and make a remarkable difference to the future for Great British wildlife.
From the brink of extinction
Celine Gamble, ZSL’s Wild Oysters Project Manager added,
“We’re determined to bring native oysters back from the brink of extinction. Despite their small size, oysters can make such a big impact within the marine coastal environment; they’re capable of filtering approximately 200 litres of water a day - around a bathtub’s worth – helping to improve our coastal water quality and provide an essential habitat for other marine species. The return of native oysters will help contribute towards healthier and more resilient coastal waters across the UK.”
“It’s an honour to be recognised by members of Parliament and the House of Lords, and to be celebrated for the work we are doing to protect and restore our native wildlife.”
For more information visit wild-oysters.org.
