Genetics boost UK native oysters

Backed by £14,300 in funding from the Scottish Universities Life Sciences Alliance and The Data Lab, the one-year project will use data-driven genetic analysis to improve the resilience and breeding success of the native oyster (Ostrea edulis).

Once abundant, native oyster populations in UK waters have plummeted due to overfishing and climate change. The project seeks to reverse this trend by using genetic fingerprinting to select optimal breeding pair – an approach commonly used in agriculture, but being applied to native oysters for the first time.

“Marine shellfish, like oysters and mussels, are small underwater miracles,” said Dr Victoria Sleight of the University of Aberdeen, who is leading the project.

“They play a vital role in marine ecosystems, filtering water, reducing nutrient run-off and forming reef habitats that boost biodiversity.”

She added that farming resilient oysters not only supports healthy diets and low-carbon food systems but can also restore wild populations. “Every healthy native oyster on a farm can release one to two million larvae into the ocean,” she said.

Dr Tom Ashton, co-founder of NativeAqua, highlighted the commercial potential. “Native oysters are notoriously difficult to farm,” he said.

“Our collaboration with Aberdeen will help develop a strong bloodline that performs well on farms. The wonderful thing is that these oysters spawn naturally during production, so aquaculture directly benefits wild stocks.”