Native oyster reefs are one of the most threatened marine habitats in Europe, with an estimated decline of 95% since the 19th century. Historic overfishing, habitat loss, disease, pollution and invasive non-native species are all contributing factors in the decline. The Native Oyster Network’s publication, European Native Oyster Habitat Restoration Handbook, presents a “how-to” in the restoration of these native oyster habitats.
On 13 and 14 January 2020, the Native Oyster Restoration Alliance (NORA) and the Native Oyster Network co-hosted a workshop on Biosecurity in Oyster Restoration at the Heriot-Watt University, Edinburgh, Scotland. The workshop was supported by Wetlands International Europe, ZSL, the University of Portsmouth and the UK Environment Agency. The topics covered were the translocation of cultch and living oysters, as well as guidelines for maintaining biosecurity in hatchery systems. The potential risks and the importance of best practice were also explored. The agreed protocols have now been published; the European Guidelines on Biosecurity in Native Oyster Restoration (chapter) and the European Native Oyster Habitat Restoration Handbook. The handbook is a publication from the Native Oyster Network – UK and Ireland. The NORA community have contributed to several chapters, the European Guidelines on Biosecurity in Native Oyster Restoration-chapter represents an entirely collaborative effort within the two networks.
The European Native Oyster Habitat Restoration Handbook – UK and Ireland, is a “how-to” guide regarding restoration of native oyster habitat in the UK and Ireland. It presents a comprehensive summary of information relevant to the restoration of the European native oyster by reflecting the knowledge shared within the networks while aiming to be available for both smaller- and larger-scale projects.
For more information on the collaboration, see Native Oyster experts prepare biosecurity recommendations for European oyster restoration projects and Native Oyster experts agree on monitoring methods for oyster habitat restoration.
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