Thousands of oysters reintroduced to Dun Laoghaire harbour in revival project
A scenic view of the coastal town Dun Laoghaire and the blue sea, IrelandMore than 18,000 oysters are being reintroduced in Dún Laoghaire harbour - almost 200 years after becoming extinct in the area.The European flat oysters, usually referred to as Native Irish oysters, have been harvested from waters off County Kerry, and will not be for commercial use but instead benefit the local ecosystem. They will be introduced to their new home via specialised floating flip baskets.The baskets will be installed along the inside of the breakwater wall by Dún Laoghaire Marina Pier. The Green Ocean Foundation, a not-for-profit company behind the initiative, hopes that the oysters will "collectively purify an estimated 1.4 billion litres of seawater annually.""The floating baskets are interconnected and designed to be flipped periodically, allowing seabirds to feed on invasive organisms like sea squirts that might otherwise clog the system. Cleaner baskets ensure optimal water flow, enabling the oysters to feed and thrive," reads a statement on this phase of the project."These oysters are more than just shellfish – they are ecosystem engineers. Capable of filtering algae and nutrients from the water, they will collectively purify an estimated 1.4 billion litres of seawater annually. In doing so, they will enhance water quality and foster an environment that supports greater marine biodiversity."In this photograph taken on September 29, 2021, French marine biologist at IFREMER (French Research Institute for Exploitation of the Sea) Stephane Pouvreau holds wild flat oysters harvested on a pilot site of ecological restoration at Plougastel-Daoulas, western France. - It is the only flat oyster native to Europe: several million years old but threatened with extinction, it is the object of the attention of scientists and shellfish farmers who are seeking to restore the last wild beds of this exceptional met. (Photo by Fred TANNEAU / AFP) (Photo by FRED TANNEAU/AFP via Getty Images)If this initiative proves successful, they hope to expand it to other areas including Greystones in Co Wicklow.Green Ocean Foundation Director David Lawlor said: "We want to encourage communities to take on similar environmental restoration projects, and to motivate businesses and individuals to support or participate in our expanding initiatives," he told RTE."Climate action cannot wait for government or EU funding, it begins with committed, community-driven projects like this one."A number of oyster plots were installed across marinas in Dun Laoghaire, Malahide and the River Liffey at Poolbeg in November 2023. It is part of a wider goal to redevelop a Dublin Bay oyster reef over the years.Join our Dublin Live breaking news service on WhatsApp. Click this link to receive your daily dose of Dublin Live content.We also treat our community members to special offers, promotions, and adverts from us and our partners. If you don’t like our community, you can check out any time you like. If you’re curious, you can read our Privacy Notice .For all the latest news from Dublin and surrounding areas visit our homepage .
