Charity takes next step in bid to restore lough's oyster reefs

THOUSANDS of oysters have been planted in Belfast Lough in a bid to restore the species in the waterway.

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Cara Bradley and Dr Nick Baker Horne from Ulster Wildlife and Simon Gibson (centre) from Belfast Harbour MATT MACKEY/PA WIRE

(MATT MACKEY/PA WIRE)

Nature conservation charity Ulster Wildlife placed 2,000 adult European oysters (Ostrea edulis) and more than 30,000 juvenile oysters, called spat, grown on scallop and mussel shells.

It marks the charity's next step in plans to restore oyster reefs, described as vital habitats that support the recovery of this threatened species and deliver wider benefits for people and the marine environment.

European oysters disappeared from Belfast Lough more than a century ago, due to overfishing, pollution and habitat loss.