A major milestone in Welsh marine restoration has been reached with the release of 50,000 native oysters into the Daugleddau Estuary in Pembrokeshire, a project hailed as a vital step towards rebuilding the region’s marine biodiversity and improving water quality.
The oysters, supplied by Câr-y-Môr seaweed and shellfish farm, will form the foundation of new “living reefs” that naturally filter coastal waters, capture carbon and create shelter for other marine species.
The large-scale deployment is part of Natur Am Byth!, Wales’s most extensive natural heritage and community engagement programme. It brings together nine environmental charities and Natural Resources Wales, supported by funding from the National Lottery Heritage Fund.
The marine branch of the initiative, Natur Am Byth! Môr, is led by the Marine Conservation Society (MCS) and builds on the Welsh Native Oyster Action Plan, which aims to restore native oyster populations that once thrived in Welsh waters.
“The adult oysters are more than just a species reintroduction, they’re foundational to marine ecosystem health, and their return signals the beginning of a wider recovery,” said Bridget Orchard, Wales Programme Manager at the Marine Conservation Society.
She added, “What’s especially exciting is that they lay the foundations for the estimated 50,000 baby oysters now being carefully raised, who will one day follow in their footsteps. It’s a testament to what can be achieved when environmental charities, funders and local communities come together with a shared vision for ocean recovery.”
The Daugleddau Estuary, a protected area known for its rich habitats, has suffered from declining water quality in recent years. Scientists hope the oysters’ natural filtration abilities, capable of cleaning large volumes of seawater, will help restore ecological balance.
A further 50,000 juvenile oysters, reared at Bangor University with the support of the Pembrokeshire Coast National Park Authority, have now been transferred to Tethys Oysters in Angle Bay. There, they will mature in controlled conditions until 2027, when they are expected to join their adult counterparts on the seabed.
This staged approach allows marine scientists to monitor the oysters’ growth and survival closely, increasing their resilience once reintroduced to open waters.
Funding for this next phase of the project comes from FatFace and the FatFace Foundation, which have pledged long-term support for marine restoration efforts.
Carly Jones, Senior Brand Marketing Manager at FatFace, said, “Supporting the restoration of native oyster reefs in Wales reflects our commitment to protect and restore the environments that sustain us. Through our People, Planet and Community strategy, we’re focused on making a tangible, lasting difference, and we’re proud to help enable this vital work with the Marine Conservation Society.”
The initiative also marks the first step in the Marine Conservation Society’s new Atlantic Coast Programme, which will expand restoration work for key “hero species” such as oysters, seagrass and kelp along the UK’s western coastline. The wider goal is to combat climate change, improve ocean health and rebuild lost habitats, beginning in Wales’ own waters.
Main Image: For illustration purposes only.
