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Yahoo
a day ago
- General
- Yahoo
Artificial reef aims to bring wild oysters back
Wild Oysters are set to be introduced into Conwy Bay after an almost two-year delay was brought to an end by a succession of storms. Bangor University have been given permission to proceed to the final stage of the project and "reseed" a 660-tonne artificial reef. Harbourmaster Matthew Forbes said the project would "finally move towards completion" with the first distribution run set to take place on Friday. Wild oysters, once a major part of Wales's fishing industry, have been in decline as a result of over-fishing, changes in water quality, and disease. It was first reported in July 2023 that Bangor University was working with the Zoological Society of London to reintroduce wild oysters into the waters. Conwy Council's Harbour Advisory Committee met this week for an update on the project. Speaking at the meeting, harbourmaster Matthew Forbes said the reef was initially "above the marine licensed permitted height". "Over the last couple of years, storms have knocked the reef height down," he added. Mr Forbes said Natural Resources Wales had agreed the project could now move forward and 76 bags of oysters were ready to be distributed. Meeting chairwoman Joan Vaughan said it would be "lovely" to have oysters in the River Conwy. Native oysters used to be found around Conwy in large numbers but have virtually disappeared in recent years. Oyster beds were a common sight in the Menai Strait and around Anglesey. The Wild Oysters Project website said they were a "vital food source" for coastal communities and "contributed" to the Welsh economy. The Mumbles or 'Oystermouth' fishery was the largest in Wales supporting 400 fishers across 188 boats. In the mid-1800s Welsh oyster boats reported landing 8,000 oysters daily, but up to 15,000 to 20,000 oysters in some areas. The efforts to reintroduce the shellfish in Wales follow a pattern of declining numbers in other parts of the UK. A wildlife project on the East Yorkshire coast is testing a new breeding technique to reintroduce 500,000 native European flat oysters over the next five years. It was also mooted that oysters could return to the Thames as part of an effort to clean London's rivers last year. Mass oyster release aims to stop species dying out New breeding technique aims to bring back oysters Baby oysters move from maternity ward to nursery
BBC News
a day ago
- General
- BBC News
Conwy: Artificial reef aims to bring wild oysters back
Wild Oysters are set to be introduced into Conwy Bay after an almost two-year delay was brought to an end by a succession of University have been given permission to proceed to the final stage of the project and "reseed" a 660-tonne artificial Matthew Forbes said the project would "finally move towards completion" with the first distribution run set to take place on oysters, once a major part of Wales's fishing industry, have been in decline as a result of over-fishing, changes in water quality, and disease. It was first reported in July 2023 that Bangor University was working with the Zoological Society of London to reintroduce wild oysters into the Council's Harbour Advisory Committee met this week for an update on the at the meeting, harbourmaster Matthew Forbes said the reef was initially "above the marine licensed permitted height"."Over the last couple of years, storms have knocked the reef height down," he Forbes said Natural Resources Wales had agreed the project could now move forward and 76 bags of oysters were ready to be distributed. Meeting chairwoman Joan Vaughan said it would be "lovely" to have oysters in the River Conwy. Native oysters used to be found around Conwy in large numbers but have virtually disappeared in recent beds were a common sight in the Menai Strait and around Wild Oysters Project website said they were a "vital food source" for coastal communities and "contributed" to the Welsh Mumbles or 'Oystermouth' fishery was the largest in Wales supporting 400 fishers across 188 boats. In the mid-1800s Welsh oyster boats reported landing 8,000 oysters daily, but up to 15,000 to 20,000 oysters in some efforts to reintroduce the shellfish in Wales follow a pattern of declining numbers in other parts of the UK.A wildlife project on the East Yorkshire coast is testing a new breeding technique to reintroduce 500,000 native European flat oysters over the next five was also mooted that oysters could return to the Thames as part of an effort to clean London's rivers last year.
North Wales Live
a day ago
- General
- North Wales Live
Coastal project involving huge 660-tonne artificial reef 'finally' close to completion
Wild oysters are set to finally be introduced into Conwy's bay. Conwy Council's Harbour Advisory Committee met at the council's Coed Pella HQ this week for an update on the project. The Local Democracy Reporting Service reported in July 2023 that Bangor University was working with the Zoological Society of London to reintroduce wild oysters into the waters. The plans involved 'reseeding' a 660-tonne artificial reef, however Natural Resources Wales had reservations about the proposals. Speaking at the committee meeting, harbourmaster Matthew Forbes told members the long-running delay was now at an end – thanks to a succession of storms. He said: 'After an almost two-year delay with the Wild Oyster Project, due to the reef height and the way it was initially being laid, there was a complaint that it was above the marine licensed permitted height even though it wasn't a navigation channel." Sign up for the North Wales Live newsletter sent twice daily to your inbox. He added: "Over the last couple of years, storms have knocked the reef height down. "Natural Resources Wales have agreed that Bangor University can move on to the final stage, which is to put down shells on top of the limestone bed and then put the oysters on top of the shells. And then hopefully reintroduce oysters back into the Conwy Bay and Conwy Harbour – wild oysters. 'So today we've been bagging up the shells down at the Beacons, and they are all in 76 bags ready to go out and be distributed at the site. "So we hope to do the first run [last] Friday, subject to the weather.' A report presented to the committee added: ''The 'Jac y Do' (boat) has been chartered to lay shells (cultch), over the limestone reef together with 2,000 oysters. This exciting project to bring wild oysters into Conwy Bay and Conwy Harbour will finally move towards completion.' Chairing the meeting, Mrs Joan Vaughan said: 'Wouldn't it be lovely to have oysters in the Conwy River, as well as mussels. Very good.' Public notices in your area
Wales Online
a day ago
- General
- Wales Online
Coastal project involving huge 660-tonne artificial reef 'finally' close to completion
Our community members are treated to special offers, promotions and adverts from us and our partners. You can check out at any time. More info Wild oysters are set to finally be introduced into Conwy's bay. Conwy Council's Harbour Advisory Committee met at the council's Coed Pella HQ this week for an update on the project. The Local Democracy Reporting Service reported in July 2023 that Bangor University was working with the Zoological Society of London to reintroduce wild oysters into the waters. The plans involved 'reseeding' a 660-tonne artificial reef, however Natural Resources Wales had reservations about the proposals. Speaking at the committee meeting, harbourmaster Matthew Forbes told members the long-running delay was now at an end – thanks to a succession of storms. He said: 'After an almost two-year delay with the Wild Oyster Project, due to the reef height and the way it was initially being laid, there was a complaint that it was above the marine licensed permitted height even though it wasn't a navigation channel." Sign up for the North Wales Live newslettersent twice daily to your inbox. He added: "Over the last couple of years, storms have knocked the reef height down. "Natural Resources Wales have agreed that Bangor University can move on to the final stage, which is to put down shells on top of the limestone bed and then put the oysters on top of the shells. And then hopefully reintroduce oysters back into the Conwy Bay and Conwy Harbour – wild oysters. 'So today we've been bagging up the shells down at the Beacons, and they are all in 76 bags ready to go out and be distributed at the site. "So we hope to do the first run [last] Friday, subject to the weather.' A report presented to the committee added: ''The 'Jac y Do' (boat) has been chartered to lay shells (cultch), over the limestone reef together with 2,000 oysters. This exciting project to bring wild oysters into Conwy Bay and Conwy Harbour will finally move towards completion.' Chairing the meeting, Mrs Joan Vaughan said: 'Wouldn't it be lovely to have oysters in the Conwy River, as well as mussels. Very good.' Public notices in your area
