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Oysters Thrive: Firth of Forth Restoration Soars
2 Dec, 2025
Summary
- European flat oysters are making a comeback in the Firth of Forth.
- The restoration project has achieved an impressive 88% survival rate.
- One oyster has grown more than double the expected rate in a year.
The Restoration Forth project is successfully reintroducing European flat oysters to the Firth of Forth, a species once near extinction. Since 2023, over 46,780 oysters have been deployed across four sites. Monitoring by Heriot-Watt University reveals a significant 88% survival rate, indicating a healthy re-establishment.
This encouraging progress is highlighted by the exceptional growth of one oyster, which expanded by 2.1cm in a year, far surpassing the typical 1cm expected under optimal conditions. This rapid development suggests favorable environmental factors within the Forth.
These oysters play a vital role as 'underwater engineers,' filtering water, storing carbon, and enhancing biodiversity by providing habitats for marine life. While millions of oysters once thrived in these waters, current results offer a promising outlook for the long-term recovery of this crucial species.
