European flat oyster (Ostrea edulis) or native oyster. They are ecosystem engineers. Contribute to inshore biodiversity

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2 BLUE MARINE FOUNDATION SOLENT INTRO European flat oyster (Ostrea edulis) or native oyster They are ecosystem engineers Contribute to inshore biodiversity A European flat oyster (Ostrea edulis) or native oyster (with a sea cucumber perched on top) A single oyster can filter 200 litres water/day Fix nitrogen from waterways

3 BLUE MARINE FOUNDATION SOLENT INTRO Native oysters have been a staple food since Roman times The Solent was once Europe s largest oyster fishery. It was a bold man that fist ate on oyster Johnathan Swift, 1700s In 1978, 450 vessels were involved in oyster fishing supporting around 700 fishermen The stock has been in decline ever since leading to the closure of the fishery in 2013.

4 BLUE MARINE FOUNDATION SOLENT INTRO BLUE s ambitious project plans to use a combination of sites around the Solent as part of a coordinated strategy to restore the native oyster beds. Including: We can work together to achieve a shared goal and rebuild the oncethriving Solent oyster beds. Rob Clark, Southern IFCA Marina broodstock Seabed sanctuary sites Ranching areas

5 BLUE MARINE FOUNDATION SOLENT INTRO BLUE is working with multiple partners and stakeholders MDL Marinas are very proud to be working in conjunction with BLUE on their Solent Oyster Restoration Project Jo Meekley, Project Manager, MDL Marinas There is technical working group that guides the five-year Management Plan that has been developed.

6 BLUE MARINE FOUNDATION SOLENT INTRO Secret, and self-contained, and solitary as an oyster Charles Dickens There are three PhD studentships linked to the project: Oyster broodstock in cages Oyster re-seeding on the seabed Oysters and microplastics Involvement of other researchers and organisations (Southern IFCA, Natural England, Environment Agency)

7 BLUE MARINE FOUNDATION ACADEMIC PARTNERSNIPS Caged Broodstock Oysters Trials carried out in the summer of 2016 with Portsmouth University and Land Rover BAR were highly successful. 7% VERY LOW MORTALITY FOR OYSTERS IN TRIAL CAGES AT LANDROVER BAR Reproduction occurred and plankton sample analysis showed up to 100 per ml. 36 SPECIES WERE FOUND LIVING ON THE OYSTERS It has been great to pull all parties together to realise the common goal to restore a local ecosystem and whilst we are a long way off the total recover, it s a positive start Dr Susi Tomson, Land Rover BAR s Sustainability Manager

8 BLUE MARINE FOUNDATION ACADEMIC PARTNERSHIPS Oyster have been placed in cages and hung under pontoons at 6 MDL Marinas. Ben Fogle helped BLUE launch this initiative in April. The oysters in cages are reseeding wild areas of the Solent. SIX SITES 10,000 OYSTERS 130+ volunteers

9 BLUE MARINE FOUNDATION ACADEMIC PARTNERSHIPS

10 BLUE MARINE FOUNDATION ACADEMIC PARTNERSNIPS Results so far have been hugely encouraging. Oysters have been observed spawning. Plans for 2018 roll out to other Marinas and community involvement. 83 SPECIES FOUND ASSOCIATED WITH OYSTER CAGES 15 CRITICALLY ENDANGERED EUROPEAN EELS >80% AVERAGE SURVIVABILITY ACROSS SITES

11 BLUE MARINE FOUNDATION ACADEMIC PARTNERSNIPS Oysters on the Seabed PhD researcher Zoë Holbrook will monitor seabed sites throughout BLUEs project Will regularly assess physiological performance, disease and mortality Research will help direct restoration practices in the future

12 BLUE MARINE FOUNDATION ACADEMIC PARTNERSNIPS Initial fieldwork has already been carried out in the Beaulieu River. Historic bed site. The work assessed seabed quality and sustainability for oyster restoration. Full work to begin Autumn 2017.

13 BLUE MARINE FOUNDATION ACADEMIC PARTNERSNIPS Microplastics in Oysters Particle size (>100 nm) <5 mm Purposefully produced or degradation products from larger items of plastic Christina Thiele will monitor local populations in Solent Experiments to assess ways of reducing microplastic concentrations in commercial oysters

14 BLUE MARINE FOUNDATION THE FUTURE OTHER ACTIVITIES SUSTAINABLE OYSTER MARKETING Develop a brand of sustainable Solent oysters (promoted at local oyster festival) similar to BLUE s existing Reserve Seafood brand in Lyme Bay. INVASIVE SPECIES MANAGEMENT Monitoring and removal of invasives such as slipper limpets and oyster drills (tingles). WATER QUALITY Support existing initiatives and lobby for change.

15 BLUE MARINE FOUNDATION THE FUTURE Restoring the oyster population will help to improve: FIVE MILLION OYSTERS RESTORED Water quality Ecosystems Local inshore fisheries The future could see a viable fishery once more.

16 Our funders and partners:

17 FOLLOW THE STORY INSTAGRAM: solentoyster FACEBOOK: /SolentOysterRestorationProject