Some 4,000 oysters are set to enter the waters of Emsworth Yacht Harbour in a few weeks time, all as part of an exciting new project designed to improve water quality and boost biodiversity in
 the Chichester Harbour Area.

Some 4,000 oysters are set to enter the waters of Emsworth Yacht Harbour in a few weeks time, all as part of an exciting new project designed to improve water quality and boost biodiversity in the Chichester Harbour Area.  Dubbed ‘The Return of thew Oyster’, it’s one of the biggest oyster restoration projects in a European marina to date, and follows on from a successful pilot phase last year.

Spearheaded by Emsworth sisters Poppie and Lottie Johns, organisers hope to reinvigorate the waters around Chichester harbour and pay homage to the area’s rich oyster heritage.

"Following our successful pilot phase last year, the next stage is due to commence in early March when the 4,000 oysters will be installed in cages at Emsworth Yacht Harbour, at the east of this natural harbour within the wider Chichester Harbour,” Poppy said.

"Here they will naturally filter and improve the water quality, as well as act as broodstock to help support the rehabilitation of local native populations.”

“A mature oyster can filter up to 150 litres of water per day – significantly improving water quality and clarity," Lottie added.

"The European Osterea edulis is endemic to Emsworth and has been a keystone species in our natural environment and part of our local heritage well before Romans came to area. However, since the 1700s - due to overfishing, disease and pollution – stocks have been depleted by over 95%.”

But, before they take to the water, a team of sixty volunteers, pulled together by Chichester Harbour Conservancy Head Ranger Rosie Ellis, will scrub each one of the 4,000 oysters in order to protect the existing population.

Assembling at the Institute of Marine Science Laboratory in Southsea on 25 February for morning and afternoon scrubbing sessions, it’s a vital part of making sure the scrubbing sessions are a success.

"Chichester Harbour Conservancy rangers regularly lead work parties of Friends of Chichester Harbour volunteers to attend to all types of clearance and maintenance tasks along our shorelines

and landscapes,’ says Rosie. ‘Heading to Southsea and cleaning oysters are not our usual practices. Next Tuesday also calls for a larger size work party than normal with volunteers also coming from beyond the Friends of Chichester Harbour as well as within. It is hugely gratifying to have so many eager to pitch in with the oyster scrubbing and do their bit for nature recovery.”

For organisers, The Return of the Oyster project harkens back to Emsworth’s illustrious past, when it was a pre-eminent location in the UK oyster trade during the late 18th century. It was so big, and so important that, one year, in 1760, a reported 24,000 oysters were said to have been dredged from a single tide, and the local museum has a gallery dedicated to the town’s importance to the UK oyster trade.

The Oyster Boat Terror, one of the last remaining open-decked working sail boats from the period, is in fact still moored at Emsworth Yacht Harbour itself and, after an extensive renovation, takes passengers on trips between September and May every year.

Sussex World 20th February