Solent seascape project takes huge step forward to bring oysters back to the river hamble in UK

Solent Seascape Project takes huge step forward to bring oysters back to the River Hamble. Foundations for the largest restoration reef in the Solent have been laid this week, as part of the Solent Seascape Project – a multi-million pound initiative to restore marine habitats across the Solent region. This five-year partnership, funded by the Endangered Landscapes Project, aims to restore a wealth of diverse marine species and habitats back to the Solent. Working closely with the River Hamble Harbour Authority and local contractors Jenkins Marine, ocean conservation charity Blue Marine Foundation laid a thin veneer of shingle mixed with cockleshells, known as ‘cultch,’ covering 2,500 metres square onto the seabed. Oysters sourced from south Wales will be transferred to the site to seed the area at the Swanwick bend in the River Hamble in a few weeks, after passing through a strict biosecurity process where they are cleaned, measured and checked. The Solent was once the largest ...