Cromarty Firth oyster bed restoration efforts move forward with application lodged with Highland Council for offshore oyster nursery off Black Isle
Restoration efforts aimed at bringing once thriving oyster beds back to life in the Cromarty Firth look set to take a step forward after plans for an offshore nursery were lodged.
Mossy Earth is seeking permission from Highland Council to create a native oyster nursery consisting of a 106 metre long line with 50 oyster baskets.
If approved it would be sited offshore roughly 500 metres north-west of Balblair on the northern side of the Black Isle, and be capable of nurturing tens of thousands of juvenile oysters.
Once the oysters reach sexual maturity those behind the project hope their larvae will begin to naturally colonise former beds.
A supporting statement lodged with the application said that each of the 50 oyster baskets would be capable of accommodating up to 800 juvenile oysters apiece
Mossy Earth said: “There are records of extensive oyster beds between Cullicudden and the Suitors as well as near Balintraid.
“It is believed these beds were fished to extinction in the 1880s like in other Firths in the area. The last record of a live oyster locally was in 1975 however no further details are known.
“Over the past few decades there has been a renewed interest in restoring oysters to Scotland as they have many benefits for biodiversity, fisheries, coastal protection and water clarity.
“To date much of this restoration has happened along the west coast where remnant populations of oysters remained. The rationale behind the current Cromarty oyster project is to replicate these successes in the firth and to investigate the potential for the reintroduction of oysters to improve the biodiversity of the area.
“There is no income directly generated from the cultivation of the oysters and it is solely for environmental research purposes.”
It goes on to explain that around 800 10mm spat (young oysters) will be grown in each basket until they reach a large enough size to be moved to further baskets which have a larger mesh size that will allow for "further growth at lower densities".
Once the oysters reach maturity after around two to three years they will be maintained as broodstock, acting as a source for further larvae "which it is hoped will recolonise suitable habitat naturally”.
Mossy Earth added: "Underwater surveys undertaken by ourselves have indicated the presence of mussels and old shells nearby upon which larvae could settle".
During the project, the baskets, which will be marked by buoys, will be visited periodically to monitor the oysters' progress. No permanent shore-side facilities are planned.