30,000 oysters released into Solent to boost stocks
A major environmental project has seen up to 30,000 oysters released onto the seabed of the Solent in a bid to revive stocks.
The Solent was once the largest oyster fishery in Europe but when annual harvests plummeted from 200 to 20 tonnes due to over-fishing, the practice was banned in 2013.
Since 2017, the Solent Oyster Restoration Project, led by Blue Marine Foundation (BLUE) has been reseeding oyster beds in key locations.
Subject to the results of this trial, BLUE aims to restore a million oysters to the Hamble.
Ecologists say it will not only boost the Solent’s oyster population but will also deliver a host of ecosystem benefits for both marine life and the local community.