Oyster conservation project underway at Loch Harport

By Jamie McDonald

A project aimed at protecting and preserving native oysters in Loch Harport is underway.

Marine restoration charity Seawilding has teamed up with Talisker Distillery to monitor oyster populations and improve habitats in the waters beside the distillery.

Volunteers gathered on the shore on Wednesday 4 March to carry out the first oyster count. The survey will help establish a baseline for the number and size of oysters currently living there, allowing conservationists to track how the population changes over time.

Danny Renton, CEO and Founder of Seawilding

Danny Renton, CEO and Founder of Seawilding, said:

“The native oyster is now very rare. They’re protected and they’re really important because they remove phosphates and nitrates from the water. Each oyster filters around 240 litres in a 24-hour period. They form these fabulous reefs which are really important for biodiversity.

“What we’re doing here is assessing the oyster population. The numbers aren’t huge but it’s really important to know they’re here, to make the community aware and to help protect them.

“The community is very engaged. They come out and help survey, monitor the populations and they act as the eyes and ears because we want to stop people from eating these things. If they do, the population will crash completely and they’ll just disappear.”

Native oysters were once abundant around the coastal waters of Skye, but their numbers have dramatically declined over the past century.

Across the UK it is estimated that around 95% of native oyster reefs have disappeared, while 92% of seagrass habitats have also been lost.

The new initiative forms part of a three year partnership worth £600,000 between Talisker and Seawilding.

Laura Hume, Assistant Retail Manager at Talisker Distillery

Laura Hume is Assistant Retail Manager at Talisker Distillery and is part of the project. She said:

“We’re on a three year mission to help preserve and protect the Isle of Skye’s native oyster population and benefit Scotland’s coastal ecosystems through community action, innovation and education.

“We’ve got volunteers from the distillery and community organisations from Skye. It’s about bringing the community together. This is the start. Hopefully we can get a bit bigger year on year and get everyone involved.”

Native oysters play an important role in the marine environment. Each oyster can filter large amounts of water every day, helping with water quality.

Organisers hope the project in Loch Harport will help demonstrate how community-led conservation can help restore life to coastal waters around Skye and beyond.