Oyster Reefs - Stronger Shores

Oyster reefs are clusters of oysters living closely together along the coastline.

Although they begin life as tiny swimming larvae, they soon have to attach to a solid surface where they will settle and grow for the rest of their life. Also known as oyster beds, these areas are made up of living oysters and old shells that have built up over time and formed an important habitat similar to a coral reef. As filter feeders, oysters help improve water quality. They are also great at absorbing excess nutrients and storing carbon. Like seagrass meadows and kelp forests, oyster reefs act as a natural buffer to the shoreline: they can reduce the impact of strong waves, prevent erosion and stabilise the shoreline.

How is the Stronger Shores project helping to reintroduce oyster reefs to the North East coast?

Action is already underway to restore oyster reefs in locations along the North East coastline through setting up native oyster nurseries at Roker Marina (the Wild Oyster Project) and Hartlepool Marina (Tees Rivers Trust). Building on this and through match funding, the Wild Oyster Project have begun their mission to create a new oyster reef off Whitburn, and Tees Rivers Trust are setting up a native oyster spatting pond at Teesmouth. A spatting pond is a big tank with shells in that oyster larvae (spat) can attach to before being transferred to the seabed. This will reduce the risk of the spat not being able to find the shells on their own.

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Three key facts!

95%

of native oyster reefs have been lost in England.

83%

of global carbon is circulated through the oceans and marine habitats.

of loss per year is the rate of erosion along parts of the North East coastline.

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Oyster reefs are clusters of oysters living closely together along the coastline.

How is the Stronger Shores project helping to reintroduce oyster reefs to the North East coast?

Three key facts!

Do you share our passion for the ocean?

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