The Rudder's Boatyard pontoon in Milford haven is the site for a
native oyster hotel - which aims to reverse the
decline in native oyster population.
Native British oyster populations have declined dramatically over
the decades, as a result of habitat loss, pollution,
over-harvesting and disease.
During a recent visit to Pembrokeshire, the Deputy First Minister
with responsibility for Climate Change and Rural Affairs, , saw the oyster hotel, which is part of a
project to help restore their population and strengthen the
marine ecosystem in Pembrokeshire.
Underneath the pontoon at Rudders Boatyard the Deputy First
Minister saw the oyster cages - where oysters are kept as
broodstock to release larvae into the Haven to boost the existing
population.
The work is part of the ambitious 4-year Natur am Byth nature
recovery partnership co-ordinated by Natural Resource Wales
(NRW), to save Wales' most threatened species. The native
oyster restoration project is led by the Marine Conservation
Society within the partnership. The project aims to restore
native oyster broodstock and, eventually, oyster beds within
Milford Haven waterway. It includes an oyster citizen science
programme and promotion of sustainable management.
The project works in close collaboration with Bangor University,
who's native oyster rearing research will see 200,000 baby
oysters deployed to boost the restoration activities in February
2025. This work is being carried out in partnership with Bangor
University, the Pembrokeshire Marine SAC Officer and Tethys
Oysters in Angle Bay, and forms part of the Welsh Government
funded Sustainable Landscapes, Sustainable Places - Blue Carbon
Strand of the Pembrokeshire Coast National Park Authority's Wild
Coast Programme.
The Deputy First Minister, said “This is a fantastic example of
how environmental organisations, local volunteers and local
businesses can help to protect and restore rare species and also
connect our communities to nature.
“This project also goes to show how restoring nature provides
green jobs, and supports local economies and sustainable growth
in local areas for local people.
“It is inspiring to see the success that the team have achieved
at this site and I look forward to hearing more about future
developments.”
Sue Burton, Natur am Byth Pembrokeshire Regional Coordinator for
the Marine Conservation Society, said “This native oyster work is
an important step for the recovery of our marine
environment. The Cleddau estuary in Pembrokeshire was once
home to a thriving community of native oysters, a species that
can build natural reef structures when in high numbers and
improve water quality by filtering hundreds of litres of water a
day. By bolstering the native oyster population, we hope to
kick start the recovery of this natural ecosystem builder”.
, the Natur am Byth programme
manager, said “Our species recovery partnership is driven by
collaboration to save animals, plants and fungi on the brink of
survival in Wales. The skills from all nine charities and NRW
have come together to inspire local action for nature in
communities across Wales. This native oyster release is one of
our most ambitious projects within the partnership, and wouldn't
have been possible within the support of local businesses and
aquaculture based here in Wales.”
Notes to editors
Notes to editors:
- The Natur am Byth partnership is Wales' flagship Green
Recovery project. It unites nine environmental charities with NRW
to save species from extinction and reconnect people with nature.
Natur am Byth
- The £8m four-year programme consists of 11 projects focusing
on 67 threatened species, plus a number of Wales-wide initiatives
to widen participation and understanding of nature. Each
place-based project will tackle the root causes of species
decline, working with hundreds of landowners and community
volunteers to deliver positive change for nature recovery.
