A feasibility study of native oyster (Ostrea edulis) stock regeneration in the United Kingdom

Summary

Throughout much of the UK, the native oyster remains in a severely depleted state in the wild, having suffered for two centuries with over-exploitation, pests, disease, pollution and harsh winters. The native oyster is a Biodiversity Action Plan Species. Native oyster beds can form a flourishing part of the ecosystem, with many associated species. A significant driver for restoration of native oyster beds should therefore be re-creating and conserving an ecological resource in order to re-establish a biotope that was once common and covered wide areas of the UK inshore seabed.

Authors

• Ian Laing,
• Peter Walker,
• Francisco Areal

Publication date

01 February 2005