Orkney Shellfish Hatchery has released its first stock of native flat oysters into the ocean, following the sale of native oyster spat to a local restoration project.
More than 11,000 land-grown spat were planted into the sea on the west coast of Scotland, improving the quality of ocean’s reefs where oysters provide shelter and food for other species, including commercially important fish and shellfish. Oysters also help the environment by filtering seawater and removing carbon.
Dr Nik Sachlikidis, managing director of the Cadman Capital Group’s Aquaculture portfolio, of which Orkney Shellfish Hatchery forms a part, said that the company had been investing in hatchery technology since 2017.
“Not only does this ensure that our products are given the very best chance of wild survival, but it also mitigates the risk of adding further diseases to our seas,” he said.
“Seeing the first release of our native oyster spat into the ocean is a huge milestone for our team and hatchery and is just the start of many releases we hope to do alongside restoration projects at a global scale,” he added.
Since the release the hatchery has made additional spat sales to local oyster farming companies, who will further grow the oysters to market size. Plans are also in place for the company’s first release of its European lobster product later this year.
