Works starting in West Mersea to help restore oyster numbers
The number of native oysters has reportedly declined by 95 per cent
Last updated 17th Jun 2021
Works are starting in West Mersea today (14 June) to help restore oyster numbers.
It is the next stage of an oyster restoration project, as the number of native oysters has reportedly declined by 95 per cent in the UK.
It was once said to be a huge industry in Essex.
Matt Uttley, Essex Native Oyster Restoration Initiative's Project Manager, told Greatest Hits Radio Essex about what their aim is:
"We want to bring the populations back up to a healthy, self-sustaining population that provides all of those different environmental and social benefits that are provided by having the oysters there.
"Without human intervention, these oysters won't recover.
"So we've really got to get out there and do the work to improve the habitat and work with nature to allow this recovery process."
He also said they improve things from water quality to the oyster industry in Essex.
It is a long-term project and it could be "a number of years" before we start to see full recovery, according to Matt.
A notice to mariners has been posted online, which states works will start within a "defined restoration box, of which the north-west corner is located approximately 500m offshore to the south-east of West Mersea".
Mariners are being asked to be "mindful of the raised seabed in this location".