‘Ocean superhero’ oyster species in seabed first for NI

This seabed deployment is a first for Northern Ireland.

The project is supported by Ulster Wildlife members, Belfast Harbour and the Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs via the Carrier Bag Levy.

Several native oyster nurseries have been created at Bangor Marina, Belfast Harbour, Glenarm and Carrickfergus.

In Belfast Lough, the oysters are placed on the seabed to form a natural reef over time and potentially provide habitat for spat from the nurseries to settle on.

After measuring a sample, staff and volunteers from Ulster Wildlife put the oysters in biodegradable potato starch bags for laying on the seabed.