By Jake Norton, Project Lead – Forth Marine Hatchery
It’s been a busy and inspiring few weeks working alongside the incredible team of Restoration Forth members, along with many passionate volunteers, all contributing to the restoration of native oysters in the Firth of Forth. From fieldwork on the water to hands-on biosecurity work at Heriot-Watt University, it’s been a powerful reminder of what collaboration and community can achieve for our marine environment.
Setting Sail on the Firth of Forth
Earlier this month, I joined Naomi Kennon and her team from Heriot-Watt University aboard a workboat on the Firth of Forth. They were conducting BRUV (Baited Remote Underwater Video) surveys, comparing biodiversity at oyster restoration sites with nearby control areas.
The footage they collect helps us understand how restored oyster reefs are influencing marine life. It was incredible to see so many volunteers and local partners involved, each bringing enthusiasm and curiosity to the mission of restoring the Forth’s ecosystems.
Discovering Thriving Oysters at Tyninghame
Next, we visited the Tyninghame restoration site, where native oysters have already been placed on the seabed. We also deployed new oysters attached to string lines, a simple but effective method that helps the team relocate them for monitoring. These lines allow researchers to collect vital data on survival, growth, and habitat impact.
It was amazing to see healthy native oysters thriving in their new home, living proof that the restoration work is making a difference. Each oyster slightly increases the filtration capacity of the bivalves in the forth!
Scrubbing for Science at Heriot-Watt
The next stop was Heriot-Watt University, where the next “movement” of oysters was being prepared for release. At the moment, all of our native oysters come from the west coast of Scotland, so they undergo a strict biosecurity protocol before being introduced to the east coast.
That meant four full days of meticulous work with teams of volunteers, scrubbing oysters to remove mostly barnacles and keel worms, small but important steps in preventing the spread of invasive species and disease. The dedication from everyone involved was incredible; it was hard work, but deeply rewarding knowing that every cleaned shell was one step closer to a healthier Forth. One key aim of the Forth Marine Hatchery is to produce native oysters on the east coast, reducing the amount of biosecurity steps oysters have to take before entering the firth of forth while hopefully increasing the supply significantly.
A Milestone Release from Granton Harbour
Finally, it was back to sea, this time from Granton Harbour, to release the very oysters we’d spent days preparing. The destination: a central site in the Firth of Forth where previous survival rates have been above 75%!
Working alongside fellow Restoration Forth staff and an amazing group of volunteers, we successfully released over 5,000 native oysters! Seeing them return to the water felt like a huge collective achievement from the culmination of months of collaboration from so many passionate organisations and people!
Exciting News for the Forth Marine Hatchery
And on a personal note the Forth Marine Hatchery is about to welcome our very first native oysters! This marks an exciting new chapter for us as we take steps toward becoming the first oyster hatchery on Scotland’s east coast.
Stay tuned…big things are coming for the Forth Marine Hatchery!