Return of the native – is European oyster (Ostrea edulis) stock restoration in the UK feasible?

Abstract

Throughout much of the UK and in Europe generally the native oyster is in a severely depleted state in the wild. In order to address and potentially to reverse this situation Ostrea edulis was designated as a named species in the UK Biodiversity Action Plan as part of a national commitment to the International Convention on Biodiversity. Amongst other initiatives, some of which are summarised in this paper, a feasibility study was carried out to evaluate all the factors, including an economic assessment, relevant to a programme of stock restoration in the UK. The study showed that there is a considerable body of data on the biology, ecology and distribution of O. edulis to inform restoration projects. Appropriate legislation is in place to allow for restoration. Non-marketable costs and benefits were estimated. They provide an idea of the high value that may be placed on biodiversity aspects. Nevertheless, this study also shows that stock restoration can be commercially viable if fishery prices and yields are sufficiently high. Restoration efforts and associated studies elsewhere have shown the potential for success of native oyster stock regeneration, especially in disease-free areas. For these, there is a very strong element of re-creating and conserving an ecological resource. The relaying of cultch is seen as an essential component of a successful oyster restoration programme and the use of sanctuaries is generally considered beneficial. The loss of the standing stock is a limiting factor and re-stocking is an effective strategy. There is a basic genetic similarity of wild European O. edulis populations such that the source of stocks is not critical. There are some problems with hatchery rearing from these, but using breeding ponds or importing part-grown oysters are viable alternatives.

Integrating Larval Dispersal, Permitting, and Logistical Factors Within a Validated Habitat Suitability Index for Oyster Restoration

“…The global loss of native oyster populations has prompted extensive efforts to restore these economically-and ecologically-important bivalves. Oyster restoration techniques vary, but are generally designed to provide habitat (e.g., thin layer of shell or three-dimensional artificial reefs) where habitat is limiting, or subsidies of juvenile oysters (e.g., hatcherybased stock enhancement) where recruitment is limiting (Coen and Luckenbach, 2000;Laing et al, 2006;Quan et al, 2009;Theuerkauf et al, 2015). Recent efforts to restore eastern oysters (the focal species of this work; hereafter referred to as oysters) along the U.S. Atlantic and Gulf coasts have focused on constructing three-dimensional artificial reefs to provide hard substrate for oyster settlement (Powers et al, 2009;Schulte et al, 2009;Puckett and Eggleston, 2012;La Peyre et al, 2014).…”

Benthic assemblages associated with native and non-native oysters are similar

“…These different assemblages may be driven by differences in the structural properties of native mussel beds compared to the invasive oyster reefs (Lenihan, The native European oyster, Ostrea edulis, is an economically important species and an ecosystem engineer, which increases diversity at a local scale (Smyth et al, 2009). It has been eradicated throughout much of its native range (Laing et al, 2006;Lockwood, 2001).…”

The German Case Study: Pioneer Projects of Aquaculture-Wind Farm Multi-Uses

“…The European oyster showed constant increases in shell length and dry mass during the cultivation periods (Pogoda et al 2011). This implies a high ability of dietary assimilation of the native European oyster, even when food availability is low in summer (Rick et al 2006) and a good adaptation to this offshore environment (Newkirk et al 1995;Matthiessen 2001;Laing et al 2006). In contrast, seasonal variations with reduced growth rates in summer were observed for the Pacific oyster.…”