England is a step closer to restoring native oyster reefs across its coastal and estuarine waters, following the publication of a new report identifying where large-scale restoration could be most feasible and beneficial.
Once widespread around our coasts, native oyster reefs have suffered dramatic declines over the last two centuries. Restoring these remarkable ecosystems could play a vital role in marine nature recovery, boosting biodiversity, improving water quality and helping to create healthier, more resilient coast.
The report commissioned by the Environment Agency through the Restoring Meadows, Marsh and Reef (ReMeMaRe) Initiative, has been delivered through a collaboration between the University of Portsmouth, ZSL (Zoological Society of London) (founding partners of the Native Oyster Network UK and Ireland), The University of Edinburgh and Herriot-Watt University.
It assesses 109 English water bodies where native oysters have been recorded historically or are present today. The report identifies 49 sites where oyster restoration would be ecologically feasible, highlights 39 sites for further assessment, and prioritises 16 sites for ecosystem-scale oyster restoration.
The findings are intended to support the delivery of the Government's Environment Improvement Plan commitment 13: to restore functional oyster reefs in five to eight suitable English water bodies.
Hannah Westoby from the Environment Agency states: "As a key component of the Environment Agency's ReMeMaRe programme, native oyster reefs have the potential to strengthen our estuarine and coastal natural infrastructure, supporting biodiversity recovery while delivering benefits such as improved water quality and climate resilience. We look forward to continuing to work with the Native Oyster Network UK & Ireland and Defra Group partners to advance restoration opportunities and help inform future marine policy, planning and investment in England's estuarine and coastal waters."
As a key component of the Environment Agency's ReMeMaRe programme, native oyster reefs have the potential to strengthen our estuarine and coastal natural infrastructure, supporting biodiversity recovery while delivering benefits such as improved water quality and climate resilience.
Hannah Westoby, Environment Agency
Professor Joanne Preston , Professor of Marine Biology at the University of Portsmouth's Institute of Marine Sciences and co-founder of the Native Oyster Network UK & Ireland , said: "We have reached an important turning point in native oyster restoration in England. For the first time, we have a national, evidence-based assessment of where we should focus our efforts to bring these lost ecosystems back at a meaningful scale.
"Research at the University of Portsmouth has helped establish the evidence for a more ambitious approach to oyster restoration and informed the development of the Government's target. This latest report takes us a step further by identifying where that ambition could become reality. We now have an opportunity to move from restoring individual oyster populations to rebuilding connected reef habitats that can support healthier, more resilient marine ecosystems."
Dr Philine zu Ermgassen from the University of Edinburgh, who led the report writing said: "It has been fantastic to work with the Environment Agency's ReMeMaRe team to inform such positive ambition to scale up nature recovery in English seas through a science-based approach.
"Oysters were historically a really critical piece of our coastal ecosystems, and, if restored at the ecosystem scale, have the potential to clean our waters and provide habitat for our fish."
Alison Debney, Conservation Lead for UK Nature Recovery at ZSL and co-founder of the Native Oyster Network UK & Ireland , said: "This research will allow us to focus collective efforts into the practical delivery of native oyster restoration".
We have reached an important turning point in native oyster restoration in England. For the first time, we have a national, evidence-based assessment of where we should focus our efforts to bring these lost ecosystems back at a meaningful scale.
Professor Joanne Preston, University of Portsmouth's Institute of Marine Sciences
Some of the 16 highest-priority water bodies identified in the report include the Solent, Portsmouth Harbour, the Wash, the Mersey Mouth, the Blackwater, the Medway and the lower Thames. It is important to note that the priority water bodies identified in this report do not exclude other areas from having the potential to support native oyster restoration.
The assessment considered environmental conditions, including salinity, dissolved oxygen, temperature and suspended sediment, alongside factors such as potential ecological benefits, social and economic considerations, disease risks and competing uses of the marine environment.
The report represents the first stage of a wider site-selection process. Further work will be needed to identify suitable locations within each priority water body, assess local conditions, determine licensing requirements and engage stakeholders before restoration projects can proceed. The researchers also highlight the need to account for climate change and other environmental pressures in future planning.
The full report - Waterbody prioritisation for native oyster (Ostrea edulis) restoration in England can be viewed here .
