Industry collaboration aims for European oyster restoration

In a groundbreaking collaboration, The Roslin Institute, The Oyster Restoration Company, Native Aqua, and Xelect have joined forces in an attempt to reverse the worrying declines in European native oyster populations. Due to a combination of overharvesting, pollution and disease, native oyster populations have fallen to less than 5 percent of their historical levels, and so this initiative marks a significant milestone for both ecological restoration and responsible seafood production. The collaboration will focus on identifying genetic markers that confer resistance to Bonamia ostreae – a protozoan parasite of oysters. By combining cutting-edge genomics with practical breeding programmes, the partnership aims to cultivate resilient oyster strains that can thrive in both wild and farmed environments. The organisations will utilise their complementary expertise to achieve this, with the Roslin Institute leading genetic research; The Oyster Restoration Company managing breeding ...