60K Oysters Revive Firth of Forth

0:00Restoration Forth has reached a huge milestone by introducing 60,000 European flat oysters into the Firth of Forth. This award-winning effort doubles their original goal and brings back beds that once spanned an area as big as Edinburgh before overfishing and pollution wiped them out. Over the past four years, teams of volunteers have planted oysters and restored four hectares of seagrass meadows at sites like Berntosland Sands, Belle Haven Bay, and Drum Sands. These oysters do more than just grow. They filter water, store carbon, and offer shelter for all sorts of marine life. Back in the 17th and 18th centuries, the first beds fueled local economies around New Haven and Leith, with records showing nearly 30 million harvested yearly over a decade. The most recent addition of 14,080 oysters pushed the total past the target. Meanwhile, Harriet Watt University Divers report an 88% survival rate from late last year thanks to strict cleaning rules that prevent disease spread.

1:02Project leaders and volunteers are thrilled with the progress, backed by groups like the Marine Conservation Society and funding from the Scottish Government. It's clear this work is rebuilding a vital part of Scotland's coastal ecosystem for years to come. From your city, powered by AI, this is Edinburgh News Today. I'm Corey with The Story.