Over 200,000 young flat oysters have been released onto the seabed to restore oyster reefs in the Belgian North Sea, according to the Marine Environment Department of the Federal Public Service for Health.
The initiative is part of the Belreefs project, which is a collaboration between government, science, and industry aimed at rebuilding oyster reefs in the Belgian North Sea under the direction of the Marine Environment Department. The European flat oyster has almost vanished since the 19th century due to overfishing and disease.
The project focuses on restoring oyster reefs because they provide essential habitats for various marine organisms, support water purification, and protect the seabed. By doing so, oysters contribute to resilience against climate change. Now that the oysters are in place, their ecological impact will be monitored, with potential plans for expansion.
North Sea Minister Annelies Verlinden (CD&V) emphasised the significance of this initiative. “The North Sea is not only an economic powerhouse but also a unique natural environment that must be carefully protected. Releasing young oysters is an investment in biodiversity and climate resilience. Initiatives like Belreefs help us meet our goal of ecologically restoring at least 20% of our North Sea by 2030.”
