…By Jack Sylva for TDPel Media.
As part of the Solent Seascape Project, nearly 15,000 oysters have been introduced to a newly-created oyster bed in Hampshire’s Swanwick bend of the river Hamble.
The project aims to reintroduce the native oyster species to the Solent region and reverse the loss of the oyster fishery industry in the area.
Once the largest in Europe, the oyster fishery has declined due to factors including poor water quality, competition from invasive species, disease, and overfishing.
The project involves laying a thin layer of shingle mixed with cockleshells, known as “cultch”, on 2,500 square metres of the river bed to create a restoration reef.
Multimillion-pound initiative
The Solent Seascape Project is a five-year scheme costing millions of pounds.
The oysters for the project were transferred from South Wales to seed in the new habitat created in the Swanwick bend.
The oysters were dropped onto the reef from a fishing boat, with the aim of placing a total of 30,000 oysters by the end of the project.
Pioneering project
The Solent used to be the most important oyster fishery in Europe, but the oysters have become very rare due to various factors.
Disease and poor water quality are thought to be among the reasons.
Conservation charity Blue Marine Foundation, which is managing the project, will work with the University of Portsmouth to monitor growth rates.
Louise MacCallum, project manager for the charity, says that the introduction of oysters will have multiple benefits.
Not only do oysters filter water and improve its quality, but they also stabilize sediment, work as natural sea defences, and attract a variety of marine life.
Restoring biodiversity
The Hamble reef is the second site created as part of the scheme following a similar project created in Langstone Harbour.
The ultimate goal of the project is to see oysters seeding across the Solent and for the fishery to be restored.
The introduction of oysters is expected to provide a great boost to biodiversity in the river, which is crucial for the health of marine ecosystems.
Commentary:
The decline of oysters in the Solent region has had a significant impact on the environment and the local economy.
Oysters are important filter feeders and play a crucial role in maintaining the health of marine ecosystems.
The introduction of oysters to the newly-created oyster bed in the Hamble river is an exciting development in the restoration of the native oyster population.
The project is a great example of how conservation efforts can restore habitats and benefit biodiversity.
The reintroduction of oysters to the Solent will also provide a boost to the local economy by creating new opportunities for the oyster fishery industry.
The project is an important step towards a more sustainable and healthier future for the Solent region.