Belfast Harbour, in partnership with Ulster Wildlife, has installed an oyster nursey in the port to help restore the native population of the species, improve water quality and boost marine biodiversity.
The nursery, which is the first of its kind to be introduced to a commercial shipping channel in Northern Ireland, is located off the pontoon at the AC Marriott Hotel at City Quays. It will be home to around 600 native oysters, which prior to installation were cleaned, measured and screened for diseases by a group of volunteers, including Ulster Wildlife representatives and employees of Belfast Harbour.
For over a century it was thought that native oysters in Northern Ireland were extinct, but a number of oyster restoration initiatives have been launched by Ulster Wildlife in recent years, with similar nurseries being installed in Bangor and Glenarm Marina with great success.
With appropriate maintenance and care the oysters introduced to the waters at Belfast Harbour will form reefs, providing habitats for a variety of other marine species. This will have a positive impact on marine biodiversity in the area, as well as the revival of the native species, for which Belfast Lough was once renowned
The oysters will also contribute to improving water quality in the port, due to their unique ability to reduce water pollution and improve water clarity.
The nursery, which is the first of its kind to be introduced to a commercial shipping channel in Northern Ireland, is located off the pontoon at the AC Marriott Hotel at City Quays. It will be home to around 600 native oysters, which prior to installation were cleaned, measured and screened for diseases by a group of volunteers, including Ulster Wildlife representatives and employees of Belfast Harbour.
For over a century it was thought that native oysters in Northern Ireland were extinct, but a number of oyster restoration initiatives have been launched by Ulster Wildlife in recent years, with similar nurseries being installed in Bangor and Glenarm Marina with great success.
With appropriate maintenance and care the oysters introduced to the waters at Belfast Harbour will form reefs, providing habitats for a variety of other marine species. This will have a positive impact on marine biodiversity in the area, as well as the revival of the native species, for which Belfast Lough was once renowned
The oysters will also contribute to improving water quality in the port, due to their unique ability to reduce water pollution and improve water clarity.
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