There is a growing effort throughout Europe to restore populations of native oysters (Ostrea edulis), with the ecological objective of enhancing ecosystem biodiversity and resilience. The introduced parasite, Bonamia ostreae, caused catastrophic mortalities during the 1980s, furthering the decline of this species, and is now present throughout much of the natural range of O. edulis. It is therefore important that restoration attempts avoid further introduction and spread of this parasite, which can cause lethal infections of O. edulis. This article presents a comprehensive overview of the scale and distribution of current infection, transmission pathways, and preventive measure guidelines, focusing on the seas, inlets, and estuaries of north‐west Europe, where most ecological restoration attempts for the native European oyster have occurred so far. This is critical information for restoration project planning in which the risk of Bonamia infection must be taken into account.
15During diving expeditions in July and September 2019 two live European flat oysters (Ostrea edulis) were 16 observed by SCUBA divers. The first oyster was found lying amongst coarse shelly material in the scour 17 hole around shipwreck #3251, 37 nautical miles north west of Texel (NL). The second oyster was found 18 on the Gustav Nachtigal wreck, 6 nautical miles north of Schiermonnikoog (NL). Additional shipwrecks 19 were also inspected for O. edulis individuals but no live specimens were observed, although on 9 out of 20 11 inspected locations empty, fossil O. edulis shells were found. The September dive on the #3251 21 shipwreck revealed the presence of several large empty flat oyster shells, some of which were attached 22 to each other, with up to three individuals in a cluster. This implies that the area around the #3251 23 shipwreck was a suitable location for flat oysters in the past and that oyster larvae are still capable of 24 reaching the location. The findings suggest that shipwrecks and their surroundings are promising 25 locations for future O. edulis restoration projects. 26 27 2
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