Italy Restoring European Flat Oyster in the Nora Lagoon, Sardinia

European flat oysters (Ostrea edulis) were once abundant in the Mediterranean, but their populations have significantly declined due to overexploitation and habitat degradation. The project “Restoration of flat oyster habitats in the Nora Lagoon” (2022-2025), financed by the National Biodiversity Future Centre (NBFC) within the Marine Ecosystem Restoration framework, aims to reintroduce the native European flat oyster in the Nora Lagoon, Sardinia.

The project includes the production of juvenile oysters from adult specimens collected in Sardinia, their release into the wild, and continuous monitoring to assess the restoration success. The site chosen for the release, Nora Lagoon, was selected based on prior research indicating its suitability for oyster growth. Notably, previous experimental aquaculture activities involving Ostrea edulis in Nora Lagoon have been successful, which suggests that these efforts may have contributed to passive repopulation of the species in the area. Additionally, an innovative study based on a spatially explicit analysis for the study of the ecological connectivity among different zones within the lagoon is being conducted to map potential areas suitable for Ostrea edulis presence.

Project timeline:

Start of project: 2022
Oyster production and release: 2023-2025
Monitoring phase: Ongoing throughout the project

Primary objective

Restore self-sustaining populations of the European flat oyster in Nora Lagoon.

Secondary objectives

Enhance biodiversity, improve ecosystem services such as water filtration, and provide benefits like sediment stabilization and carbon sequestration.

Expected outcomes:

The project seeks to establish a healthy oyster population that will not only repopulate the lagoon but also deliver ecosystem benefits, including enhanced biodiversity and improved water quality.

Juvenile oyster production

Adult oysters are collected from Sardinian populations, ensuring genetic compatibility. The breeding takes place in the IMC hatchery.

Release in the lagoon

The Nora Lagoon has been chosen due to its favourable environmental conditions for oyster survival and reproduction. Releases are conducted in identified optimal zones based on environmental surveys.