Green light for oyster bank restoration project Belreefs
We officially received green light for Belreefs, a pilot project that aims to restore oyster beds in the Belgian part of the North Sea. This will allow us to install the first oysters by the end of this summer.
Belreefs is commissioned by the Marine Environment Service and the FPS Public Health and in collaboration with our partners Institute of Natural Sciences, Shells & Valves and Mantis Consulting.
Large scale restoration
In Belreefs we investigate how to restore flat oyster reefs in the Belgian part of the North Sea. Oyster reefs provide habitats for other marine species and are therefore important ecosystems. They were once abundant in the North Sea but have almost disappeared today. With this project, we aim for large-scale restoration of oyster beds in the North Sea. To this end, we research and implement innovative methods, in cooperation with the Native Oyster Restoration Alliance (NORA).
Since the introduction of a new Belgian law for the protection of the marine environment in December 2022, nature restoration projects no longer require a permit. A positive recommendation from the Scientific Service of the Institute of Natural Sciences is sufficient. We have now received this recommendation, making Belreefs the first nature restoration project under this new legislation.
Vicky Stratigaki, Engineer and Belreefs project coordinator at Jan De Nul:
With Belreefs, industry and science join forces to create a self-sustaining reef. We aim for long-term nature restoration where, eventually, human intervention is no longer needed.
"We aim for long-term nature restoration where, eventually, human intervention is no longer needed."
Three phases
Innovative technique for oyster bank recovery
To restore these oyster reefs, we first conduct research on locations with the most suitable seabed and environmental conditions for oysters to survive and reproduce.
We apply, among other things, the innovative remote setting technique. In this technique, we transfer flat oyster larvae from a breeding centre to tanks in which they settle on an artificial substrate. That substrate is made of natural and biodegradable materials, such as bricks and empty oyster shells. When the young oysters are large enough, we place the substrate on the seabed.
This method enables large-scale nature restoration in the long term. Initial tests of the technique yielded promising results. We will continue to experiment with the setup in the coming months, with the aim of releasing oysters into the sea by summer.
Sustainable and environmentally friendly system
In the experiments, we used a Recirculating Aquaculture System (RAS). This is a closed water cycle system that is ideal for large-scale cultivation of oyster larvae in a safe and environmentally friendly environment. The system prevents parasite contamination, and saves water and energy.
