Unlocking the Secrets of Native Oysters: A Collaborative Effort to Revive a Vital Species
Native oysters – tiny creatures, but crucial for our marine ecosystems. A new research initiative supported by a funding grant of £14,300 is setting out to enhance the resilience of the native oyster population. This project involves collaboration between scientists from the University of Aberdeen and NativeAqua, a pioneering native oyster farm.
Innovative Breeding Techniques
The research team plans to employ cutting-edge data-driven genetic approaches to initiate a new breeding program. By utilizing genetic analysis, scientists are aspiring to determine the optimal pairings for breeding, thereby ensuring the strongest and most resilient offspring. This innovative method, widely used in agriculture, has yet to be applied to the native oyster, making this project a groundbreaking endeavor.
A Marine Miracle
Dr. Victoria Sleight from the University of Aberdeen, who is spearheading the project, emphasized the ecological importance of marine shellfish. She states, “Marine shellfish, like oysters and mussels, are small underwater miracles. They play a vital role in marine ecosystems by filtering seawater and extracting nutrients through a process known as filter feeding.”
Dr. Sleight added that these creatures not only remove excess nutrients from the water, combating harmful human-induced runoff but also contribute to the formation of intricate three-dimensional reef habitats that support various marine species, thus boosting biodiversity.
A Sustainable Food Source
Furthermore, Dr. Sleight noted that native oysters are not only ecologically vital but are also a delicious and sustainable food source. “They provide an extremely low-carbon, healthy, and affordable source of protein for human diets,” she remarked.
Combating Decline
This project is a response to the severe decline of the native oyster population, caused by factors such as overfishing and climate change. Each mature native oyster can release up to 2 million larvae into the ocean, meaning that improving their resilience through farming can help restore natural populations and bolster commercial shellfish aquaculture.
Industry Insights
Dr. Tom Ashton, Co-Founder of NativeAqua, expressed optimism about the collaboration, stating, “Native oysters are notoriously difficult to farm due to their poor robustness and slow growth. Our scientific collaboration aims to cultivate a strong bloodline that performs well commercially. The beauty of native oysters is that they can spawn naturally while being farmed for the table market, thereby enhancing wild stocks.”
This partnership with the University of Aberdeen will pave the way for the development of high-quality farmed oysters, leaving a lasting positive impact on the UK’s marine ecosystem.
A First in Genetic Analysis
This project marks the first instance where modern genetic analysis techniques will be employed to study this critically important native species. Funding has been secured for a one-year duration through the Scottish Universities Life Sciences Alliance and The Data Lab.
