Words by Abi Scaife
Thousands of oysters are being tossed into the ocean, to find a home in a new, protected breeding ground.
Tell me more.
A brand new reef, the size of a football pitch, will now be the home to 10,000 native European oysters.
Oysters are key when it comes to creating healthy and resilient coastal waters. Years of planning have gone into the creation of the 7,500 sqm living reef in North East England.
The Wild Oysters Project is a collaboration between The Zoological Society of London, Blue Marine Foundation, British Marine and local delivery partner Groundwork North East and Cumbria.
“Native oyster reefs have disappeared from our British coastline, and with this, we have also lost the benefits that they bring, such as providing essential habitat for other marine species,” said Celine Gamble, the Wild Oysters Project Manager.
“ We’re determined to bring the species back from the brink of extinction, which will in turn will help contribute towards healthier and more resilient coastal waters across the UK.”
Charity check-in
At Smiley Movement, we like to elevate the work of charities across the world. Here are three charities whose causes align with the themes in this article.
Blue Marine Foundation. A charity dedicated to restoring the ocean to health by addressing overfishing, one of the world's biggest environmental problems. Support them here.
The Ocean Conservation Trust. A charity of Ocean optimists taking action to protect and restore nature for a thriving Ocean. Find out more here.
Marine Conservation Society. This charity is fighting for a cleaner, better protected, healthier ocean: one we can all enjoy. Learn more here.
