Ecosystem cleaners coming back to Loch Craignish

A second batch of native oysters has been released into Loch Craignish as part of a scheme to bring the species back in numbers to the coast of Argyll.

 

Following an initial release of 60,000 oysters on the loch seabed in October 2020, another 60,000 were put down in June by the community-led 'Seawilding' project.

 

The group plans to restore one million native oysters to the loch.

 

On a sunny June day, around 30 socially-distanced volunteers spread the young oysters on to three pre-surveyed sites.

 

In Seawilding's summer 2021 newsletter, it is reported the young oysters are growing well, with very low mortality in nursery cages.

 

On the seabed the young oysters suffer some predation from crabs and starfish but initial surveys indicate high survival rates and good growth.

 

Danny Renton, Seawilding project co-ordinator, said: 'We're learning a lot along the way so, as planned, we're rolling out this knowledge to other coastal community groups.

 

'Seawilding has partnered with Community Association of Lochs and Sounds (CAOLAS) to introduce 20,000 native oysters to Lochaline in the Sound of Mull – this project starts in July – and we’re now fundraising for a larger project to work with community groups to restore native oysters in Wester Ross.'

 

Native oysters are said to act as 'ecosystem engineers', filtering and cleaning the water, restoring biodiversity and sequestering carbon, potentially helping enhance Scotland's inshore marine habitats.

 

Seawilding is also carrying out a project to restore seagrass beds to Loch Craignish, in the first community-led initiative of its kind in Scotland.

 

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Photos: Seawilding

 

Volunteers spread 60,000 native oysters in Loch Craignish in June as part of the Seawilding project. no_a28Seawilding_oysters01

 

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