Belgium BELREEFS

First offshore pilot project for large-scale oyster reef restoration in the Belgian part of the North Sea.

Flat oyster reefs have historically been a dominant structural and ecological component of the North Sea offshore ecosystem. It is well-documented that there were flat oyster reefs in the Belgian North Sea, in particular in the gravel beds of the Hinderbanken area and that overfishing caused their demise in the beginning of the 20th century. That is why the Belgian government, represented by the Marine Environment Department of the Federal Public Health Service, has taken the initiative to commission the BelReefs restoration project, to be situated in the Hinderbanken.

Offshore flat oyster restoration is a very challenging task, which can only succeed through innovative and creative approaches. Government, industry and science are joining forces to meet this complex challenge. The complexity of the logistical support, and the sensitivity of oysters to disturbance (during seeding, transport and installation at sea), requires in-depth knowledge covering different fields of expertise.

The BELREEFS project is unique in several ways. It is the first time that oyster restoration will take place offshore on this scale in Belgian waters. Additionally, restoration will be carried out in an area where oyster beds historically occurred.Extensive monitoring of the seabed and local environmental conditions was conducted in 2024, to determine the most suitable location. The project also includes several innovations. For example, oyster larvae will be allowed to settle directly on suitable substrate on land (“remote setting”) before being deployed into the sea; this will take place in 2025.The oyster reef will then be monitored intensively for several years. The aim is to establish a self-sustaining and thriving oyster reef that supports marine ecosystems, in accordance with the recommendations of NORA.

Location

The location of the pilot project is in the Natura 2000 area Vlaamse Banken, more specifically near the Hinderbanken.

Partners

BELREEFS is a collaboration between:

Jan De Nul Group, the
Royal Belgian Institute of Natural Sciences,
Shells & Valves and
Mantis Consulting.

The pilot project is being carried out on behalf of the Marine Environment Department of the FPS Public Health and is part of action T4.8 of the LIFE B4B project.