Ireland Galway Bay Oyster Restoration Project

Introduction to Project:

The Galway Bay Native Oyster Restoration Project is a community, state and scientific institution led initiative that aims to restore the native oyster (Ostrea edulis) populations that once existed in huge quantities in Galway bay. Our goals are to restore native oyster habitats through strategic cultch deployment to promote larval settlement, to identify distribution of critical habitat for native oyster including modelling of temperature and salinity, develop spatial management of fisheries that will include closed areas for oyster reef development, to gain a more in-depth knowledge of native oyster habitat restoration through practical research, to monitor prevalence of Bonamia and to improve coastal water quality in Galway Bay by fostering a community understanding that land based activities have an immediate impact on coastal water quality. The project is funded by the EMFAF Marine Biodiversity and Marine Knowledge Scheme.

Who is involved:

The Galway Bay Native Oyster Restoration project is community led by Cuan Beo Environmental CLG, with funding, scientific and research aspects of the project being provided by the Marine Institute and industry/technical support being provided by Bord Iascaigh na Mhara (The Irish Seafood Development Industry).

Where:

Galway Bay is located on the West coast of Ireland and expands approximately 50 kilometres from the Burren in Co Clare on the south side to Galway City on the north side. Within Galway Bay there are currently 4 distinct native oyster beds, these include the St. George’s bed, the Clarinbridge bed and the public beds around Island eddy and in Kinvara bay. However, native oyster stocks have been found in smaller populations in other areas in the bay. See: Projects Overview

Report:
Status and Restoration of Native Oysters in Galway Bay 2018-2023

A review of oyster restoration in Galway Bay was recently published by the Marine Institute. The review was led by the Marine Institute and co-authored by Cuan Beo and An Bord Iascaigh Mhara. While juvenile numbers are healthy with high recruitment, later stages toward commercial sizes remain in a critical situation with low numbers and possibly high mortalities.

Please find the review at the following link: Status and Restoration of Native Oysters in Galway Bay 2018-2023