Experts - Public Outreach

Our mission is to support the restoration of native oyster population to pre-industrial levels to realise the ecological and economic benefits of such large ecosystems. We do this by providing engineered solutions, services and training to aid construction and monitoring of biogenic native oyster reefs to restore marine habitats and marine ecosystems. We work with reputable industrial partners to provide the hatchery expertise and complement this skill set with that necessary to undertake the relevant subsea project / design engineering and project management to execute projects in a timely and cost effective manner. Through VSEL's sister company Vectis Expeditions Ltd we provide training for recreational diving to support BSAC Operation Oyster and other seabed restoration projects via its commercial arm branded Vectis Scientific, offer scientific diving services where appropriate to support that work.

E-Mail: andrew.hunt@vsel.co.uk
Web: www.vsel.co.uk

I am an industrial designer working at the intersection of ecology, material research, and marine environments. My projects, including Oyster Matter and Tides of Change, explore the ecological and cultural dimensions of oysters, focusing on their role as keystone species in coastal ecosystems. I am particularly interested in biodiversity, habitat restoration, and nature-based solutions, and in how design can contribute to resilience and circularity. Native oyster reefs fascinate me for their ability to provide habitat, enhance water quality, and strengthen ecosystem functions. Through my work, I aim to investigate oysters both as material and as agents of ecological transformation, linking design practice with restoration-oriented research and experimentation.

E-Mail: henningmonsieur@web.de
Web: henningmonsieur.com

I specialize in oyster culture, industry trends, and consumer education, with a focus on branding, marketing, and content strategy for aquaculture businesses. With a background in seafood marketing and a deep understanding of the global oyster trade, I analyze market positioning, competitive dynamics, and consumer perception to help businesses differentiate and grow. My expertise spans storytelling, sustainability discussions, and the evolving role of oysters in gastronomy. As the founder of In A Half Shell, I engage with oyster farmers, chefs, and industry leaders to explore best practices, emerging trends, and market opportunities. I also develop educational programs and lead discussions on oyster appreciation, service excellence, and industry innovation. Passionate about bridging the gap between producers and consumers, I provide strategic insights that elevate brand narratives and expand market reach. My work blends investigative analysis with engaging storytelling to enhance awareness and appreciation of oysters worldwide.

E-Mail: julie@oystermasterguild.com
Web: https://www.oystermasterguild.com

Have been working with ostrea edulis, since 2009. Producing flat oysters spat. Also been working with restoration with WWF in the Netherlands.

E-Mail: persson@scalmarin.com
Web: Spatmarin.com

Martin's activity is focused on the development and execution of small to large scale marine ecosystem restoration projects, in partnership with scientific institutes, local institutions and local stakeholders. He is currently leading the demonstration work of the European project Climarest relative to native oyster restoration in France, and takes part in other projects as member of their technical and scientific committee. In partnership with Ifremer, he works to convert knowledge on restoration ecology to operational ecological restoration. With special emphasis on upscaling, he contributes to the evaluation of ecosystem services resulting from large scale restoration of native oyster reefs and develops new projects using native oyster restoration as a nature based solution for erosion control, improvement of water quality and conservation of biodiversity. He also works on the restoration of other marine habitats such as seagrass beds and seeks to develop more systemic restoration projects.

E-Mail: martin.perrot@seaboost.fr
Web: www.seaboost.fr

Within Jan De Nul, we use in-house expertise to protect or enhance ecosystems and use natural resources in a sustainable manner during the development and execution of our projects. As part of the Marine Environmental Department (Mared), I work on multiple projects where a positive impact on the biodiversity is significant scope within the project. Offshore projects as energy islands, wind farms or cable projects have potential to add a certain positive impact on the biodiversity via restoration programs and the use of nature-based solutions. Continuous learning on the best restoration methods is my main interest. This goes from best seeding techniques to efficient installation and long-term monitoring.

E-Mail: simon.petit@jandenul.com
Web: https://www.jandenul.com/nl

Le Paysan Marin is a French NGO focusing on the promotion of regenerative aquaculture and active marine and coastal biodiversity restoration through engineer species such as ostrea edulis both on the French Atlantic and Mediterranean coasts. As French representatives of the Baltic based regenerative aquaculture Cool Blue Future platform, we look forward to pushing forward European funded pilot projects in the coming year. We have started online and offline public outreach activities named "Oysters to save the World" where we present bivalves, oyster farming and most importantly ecosystem and environmental services provided by oyster reefs. Part of several blue economy initiatives and consultancy networks, we look forward joining NORA, making meaningful connections and contribute to the best of our abilities to the pan-European momentum build-up around Native Oysters restoration efforts wherever possible, adapted, and necessary.

E-Mail: tristan@lepaysanmarin.fr
Web: www.lepaysanmarin.fr

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, 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, gain a more in-depth knowledge of native oyster habitat restoration through practical research, monitor prevalence of Bonamia, and improve coastal water quality in Galway Bay by fostering a community understanding that land based activities have immediate impacts on coastal water quality. All aspects of these goals are ongoing and we have successfully developed Native Oyster reefs in Galway Bay. The project is funded by EMFAF Marine Biodiversity & Marine Knowledge Scheme.

E-Mail: mofficer@cuanbeo.com
Web: cuanbeo.com

Manifesting an eco-social society and dynamic delta culture through design projects, research and collaboration with Delta Workers and Bio Builders. #coproduction #empathic-field-resaerch #reefbuilding #participation #hands-on #inter-esse

E-Mail: info@estervandewiel.nl
Web: www.zee-plaats-werk-land.nl

Manifesting an eco-social society and dynamic delta culture through design projects, research and collaboration with Delta Workers and Bio Builders. Current focus on Dutch Delta region. Seaweedfarmer as a side job. #coproduction #empathic-field-resaerch #reefbuilding #participation #hands-on #inter-esse

E-Mail: mail@joostadriaanse.nl
Web: www.zee-plaats-werk-land.nl

E-Mail: rachel.millar@ulsterwildlife.org

I am broadly interested in the evolutionary ecology of aquatic invertebrates. My areas of expertise are (a) historical phylogeography, and (b) the reconstruction of evolutionary change with genomic and morphological time series. The European oyster is one of my model systems. Using ancientDNA approaches, I aim to understand how and why the European oyster genomic diversity has changed over time, and how this change may relate to its decline. My immediate goal is to reconstruct the natural distribution of genomic diversity and particular local adaptations, a baseline that could be useful to restoration projects across Europe.

E-Mail: ewers-saucedo@zoolmuseum.uni-kiel.de
Web: www.ewers-saucedo.net

E-Mail: heidi.mcilvenny@ulsterwildlife.org
Web: www.ulsterwildlife.org

I'am currently employed as a Science Officer with the Shellfish Centre Wales based at Bangor University. I have worked with native oyster population dynamics for more than 20 years. My particular expertise is the passive / benign approach to bivalve restoration. I have extensive experience in establishing, monitoring and augmenting both subtidal and intertidal native oyster, pearl oyster and horse mussel populations. I' am a predictive population modeler of invasive bivalve species, with Magallana gigas and Pinctada radiata species of interest. I'am currently working on the DAERA funded; Native Oysters Northern Ireland project (NONI) and the Ulster Wildlife Trust Blue Carbon Habitats project. I, am also connected with the Zoological Society of London "Wild Oysters" restoration hub at the Conwy Estuary Wales.

E-Mail: d.smyth@bangor.ac.uk

The 'A' in STEAM education and community awareness building. Toward that end, I authored a play and a teaching tale called Sammy Spat and the Big Rescue to build public awareness of oysters and their keystone role in ocean health. I hold degrees in both the arts (Theatre and Design) and Educational Leadership/Experiential Education) and have established a non-profit to spotlight key social and environmental issues. It is through the arts and our hearts that we are motivated to take action. The play and Sammy Spat and the Big Rescue were written to capture the heart while it informs - end goal: fall in love with the main character Sammy Spat, follow his journey, and join in to help oysters. I intend in book two for Sammy to ride the tide to the NORA part of the world. Teaching, public speaking, co-creating/collaboration, strategic planning get me energized!

E-Mail: kahrendowcett@gmail.com
Web: sammyspat.com

I am involved in native oyster restoration, monitoring, ecosystem service quantification and outreach in the Netherlands, and to restoration in the USA and Australia. I contributed to the first active restoration pilots and the description of the first native oyster reef in the Dutch North sea. I am part of the Dutch Flat Oyster Consortium that is active in putting native oyster restoration on the policy agenda together with partners. I am also involved in designs of offshore wind farms, where populations of native oyster are actively promoted as well as new restoration techniques for oyster reef restoration.

E-Mail: k.didderen@buwa.nl
Web: https://www.platteoester.nl

E-Mail: alison.debney@zsl.org
Web: www.zsl.org

As one of the initiators of native oyster restoration in Dutch waters, I am currently functioning as an informal network coordinator, operating between the various restoration projects and related organisations. With the purpose of stimulating cooperation and exchange of information, in order to speed up the learning curve we have to go through. As member of the NORA Advisory Board I also attempt to stimulate cross-border cooperation and information exchange at a European level.

E-Mail: hsas@xs4all.nl

I work on the effects of ocean acidification and warming on oysters and other aquaculture species, as well as on biogenic habitats and marine invasive species. This research is mainly based in the NE Atlantic, the Mediterranean, China and Japan. I am President of the British Phycological Society with an interest in how the movement of oysters can present biosecurity challenges as well as major ecosystem benefits.

E-Mail: jhall-spencer@plymouth.ac.uk
Web: https://www.plymouth.ac.uk/staff/jason-hall-spencer

E-Mail: afrankic@gmail.com
Web: www.umb.edu/GHP

Microbiologist, spesialization in bivalve health and disease transmission. Experience from projects on oyster, mussel and scallop aquaculture. Leading a National Reference Laboratory function on diagnostics of bivalve diseases in Norway and a healtth monitoring programme, including wild and farmed populations of flat oysters and mussels. Leading a Nordic collaborative network on Pacific oysters in Scandinavia, studying the spreading dynamics, mitigation as well as a potential exploration of Pacific oysters as a new resource. Also involved in public outreach through communication with stakeholders, including managers.

E-Mail: stein.mortensen@hi.no
Web: https://www.hi.no/hi

My main focus is on conducting outreach to the public developing 1) educational material e. g. for German highschool students and teachers, 2) information material for interested visitors e.g. info boards and flyer, 3) an interactive online platform to increase the knowledge on the native oyster and its valuable ecosystem functions.

E-Mail: Corina.peter@awi.de
Web: https://www.awi.de/forschung/biowissenschaften/oekologie-der-schelfmeere/schwerpunkte/europaeische-auster/proceed.html

Societal benefits, restoration, ecology, biodiversity & monitoring of: 1. Shellfish reefs, 2. Marine Protected Areas 3. Priority habitats of nature conservation importance, The win-win between biodiversity conservation, ecosystem function and marine development Biodiversity mapping and management in Marine Spatial Planning Sustainable development and habitat use by species of high biodiversity conservation importance

E-Mail: w.g.sanderson@hw.ac.uk
Web: https://researchportal.hw.ac.uk/en/persons/william-sanderson

My primary focus is on the delivery of physical restoration of native oyster populations and habitat. In managing the ENORI project I have developed a broad knowledge of all things oysters. Key considerations and particular interests within our habitat restoration work include supply and type of cultch, biosecurity, monitoring and delivery of public outreach. I have a mixed disciplinary background, I have completed research projects and have spent time working within the bivalve aquaculture industry.

E-Mail: matt@bluemarinefoundation.com
Web: https://essexnativeoyster.com/

Primarily focused on providing a strong scientific foundation for the Solent Oyster Restoration Project, my intrests are broad as there are many issues to consider within our system. My previous research has involved invasive species, restoration aquaculture systems, disease and associated biodiversity. More recently we have been working on scaling up reef restoration and I have been encouraging the movement towards integrated ecosystem restoration (Oysters, Saltmarsh, Seagrass and Kelp). Outreach, communication and engement with a range of audiences is also something that I keen to develop across Europe following our successful activities in the UK.

E-Mail: luke@bluemarinefoundation.com
Web: https://www.bluemarinefoundation.com/projects/solent/

I have been involved in marine conservation work for more than 30 years in my adopted home of Florida. I joined The Nature Conservancy (TNC) in 2004 and as TNC’s Marine Program Manager in Florida, I am responsible for guiding work on restoring and managing coastal systems that include habitat restoration, management and policy actions, and convening diverse stakeholders to tackle issues affecting Florida’s estuarine systems. I have a special affinity for oyster habitat and I am currently managing a large-scale oyster habitat restoration project and the development of an oyster ecosystem-based fisheries management plan for the Greater Pensacola Bay System in Florida.

E-Mail: abirch@tnc.org
Web: nature.org/florida