Blue Marine is leading a long-term project to restore native oyster beds in the Solent and support a sustainable fishery. Overfishing, habitat loss, pollution, and disease have decimated oyster populations, impacting water quality, marine biodiversity, and local fisheries. Native oysters are a priority species in the UK and globally, due to their vital ecosystem services such as water filtration, habitat provision, and nutrient cycling. Once home to Europe’s largest oyster fishery, the Solent saw its fishery collapse in 2013. A 2014 study confirmed restoration is biologically feasible, and Blue Marine’s project aims to revive the ecosystem and public engagement.
Scotland’s Seas: An Environmental and Economic Opportunity
Scotland’s seas are six times larger than our land area and among the most ecologically important in the world. They support internationally important marine wildlife, globally significant ecosystems and the coastal economies that depend upon them.
16 September 2026
