Objective: To restore and support the Native Flat Oyster industry in the United Kingdom.
Stage: Operational
North Bay Innovation Ltd. (previously as Northbay Shellfish Ltd) was a leading partner in a major European research project (Oysterecover 2010-2013) which identified key parameters necessary for restoration efforts for the European Native Flat Oyster (Ostrea edulis.)
This project was the driving force behind multiple long-term restoration projects in England, Scotland, Wales, France, Netherlands and Germany.
These areas likely had extensive oyster beds in the past, but due to overfishing, disease, or environmental factors (or a mix of these) these beds were reduced to small pockets or even ceased to exist.
Today, the single limiting factor in restoring the Ostrea edulis to our waters is obtaining young oysters (spat) which are:
- Disease-free
Big enough to place in the bed
Numerous enough to have the critical mass necessary to sustain the bed
North Bay Innovations Ltd.’s goal is to help supply this much-needed spat through development of hatcheries, nurseries and spatting ponds using disease (Bonamia) free stocks in disease-free locations.