Thousands of oysters released into the Firth of Forth appear to be flourishing again after going extinct in the Scottish estuary for more than 100 years due to overfishing.
Some 30,000 European flat oysters were reintroduced to the estuary last September and marine experts have revealed that divers and underwater cameras show they are thriving.
The Firth of Forth was once home to one of the biggest native European oyster reefs in the north-east Atlantic, but they had been fished to local extinction in the early 1900s.
Once native to Scotland, it has been estimated that 30million European flat oysters were being yielded in the Firth of Forth towards the end of the 1800s.
Oysters, long considered an aphrodisiac, have been absent from the Firth of Forth for nearly 100 years and so far those reintroduced to the area through the Restoration Forth project have had an 85 per cent survival rate.
In September 2023, a total of 30,000 European flat oysters were reintroduced into the Firth of Forth
The project aims to create a new oyster reef in the famous estuary, providing a vital habitat for many other species including fish, crabs, sea snails and sponges
Bill Sanderson, professor of marine biodiversity at Heriot-Watt, said: From its inception, Restoration Forth has taken careful steps to find the best places to restore oysters to the Firth of Forth.
We are delighted that their high survival so far reflects the painstaking efforts we have made to support this initiative.
Naomi Kennon, a Heriot-Watt research associate for the project, said: We have worked with hundreds of people from around the Forth to clean and move oysters to their new home.
Working with the volunteers, over the next year we hope to see these oysters continue to thrive and to start to enhance the biodiversity on the seabed.
Our project will not only bring back a native species lost to overfishing in the 1800s, but also the ecosystem services those animals bring with them.
Oysters enhance water quality through filter feeding, store carbon and enhance biodiversity by creating a complex habitat providing homes and shelter for countless other organisms.
Anna Inman, shellfish engagement officer at the Marine Conservation Society, said: The community support for oyster restoration has been incredible.
We truly appreciate all the hard work that has gone into bringing oysters back to the Firth of Forth.
This achievement is a testament to the dedication of all the volunteers who have generously given their time.
The project not only aims to revive marine life but also highlights the cultural heritage of oysters and emphasises our collective responsibility to restore and protect our seas for future generations.
Naomi Arnold, Restoration Forth project manager from WWF Scotland, said: Were delighted by the early signs of success.
This is down to the hard work of not only the staff involved, but the hundreds of volunteers who have turned out in all weathers to help us prepare the oysters for deployment, and to physically put them in the water.
This is a key milestone in our project, with this success and the amount we have learned, things are looking very positive for future restoration in the area.
Once native to Scotland, it has been estimated that 30 million European flat oysters were being yielded towards the end of the 1800s
Last September, 30,000 oysters were transported from Little Loch Broom, near Ullapool, Wester Ross, with the aim of creating an oyster reef in the estuary.
The first seeding of seagrass was carried out in three locations along the coast as part of a three year project.
The trial sites are Tyninghame Beach in East Lothian, Pettycur Bay in Fife and Dalmenys Drum Sands near Edinburgh.
Caitlin Godfrey, of the Marine Conservation Society, one of the organisations involved in the project, said at the time: Its so exciting that the first native oysters are now in their new home.
Native oysters have huge cultural value in this area.
Marine experts hope the oysters will filter the water in which they live and improve its clarity, allowing more light to reach the seabed and help the growth of water plants such as sea grass.