Solent Oyster Restoration Project

Restoring the Solent’s seabed

OMGTea’s support contributes to the Solent Oyster Restoration Project, delivered by Blue Marine Foundation in partnership with GreenTheUK and forming part of the wider Solent Seascape Project. This ambitious initiative aims to restore and reconnect key marine habitats, with a long-term goal of protecting and restoring 30% of the Solent’s seascape.

Why native oysters matter

Native oysters are a keystone species and powerful ecosystem engineers. When oyster reefs are healthy, their impact ripples throughout the marine environment:

• They dramatically improve water quality: a single oyster can filter up to 200 litres of seawater every day, removing excess nutrients and pollutants.

• They provide habitat for hundreds of other species including fish, crabs, sponges and other marine life.

• They help protect coastlines, acting as a natural defence against coastal erosion.

• They support local communities, with the long term aim of restoring safe, sustainable commercial oyster fishing in the future.

By rebuilding oyster reefs and allowing them to become self-sustaining, entire marine ecosystems can recover.

Progress, challenges and early signs of success

Significant progress has already been made. Across the Solent, approximately 5,000 square metres of oyster reef have now been actively restored, with over 45,000 native oysters deployed since 2023, restoring around 0.5 hectares of seabed.

In the River Hamble, restoration has shown particularly promising early results. Recent monitoring revealed live oysters still present on reef material a year after deployment, and, crucially, what appears to be native oyster spat - juvenile oysters - has been recorded for the first time since the project began. This suggests the oysters may now be breeding naturally, a critical milestone on the path to creating a fully self-sustaining reef.

Dr Luke Helmer, Restoration Science Manager at Blue Marine, described seeing the reef firsthand in a BBC article:

“It was amazing to get eyes on the reef for the first time in such detail.

The contrast was striking - where reef-building materials and oysters had been placed, the underwater world was filled with life, appearing far richer than the nearby unrestored areas.

It was great to see so many sponges, a big spider crab and quite a few fish species in a relatively short operation. It really highlights the importance of this habitat and why we need it back.”

Not all sites have progressed equally. In Langstone Harbour, monitoring revealed increased sedimentation and reduced oyster survival, prompting a pause and further hydrodynamic modelling to ensure future restoration is placed where reefs can thrive long-term. This adaptive approach ensures that restoration is science-led and resilient, maximising impact over time.

Building a future for people and nature

Looking ahead, the project aims to restore up to 4 hectares (40,000 square metres) of native oyster reef across the Solent. The work also aligns closely with new Local Nature Recovery Strategies (LNRSs) introduced under the Environment Act 2021, helping ensure marine restoration is coordinated, protected and embedded in long-term regional planning.

By supporting native oyster restoration, OMGTea is helping to rebuild a habitat that benefits marine life, improves water quality, protects coastlines and supports the future recovery of local fishing communities.

As these oyster reefs grow and reproduce, their impact will multiply - filtering vast volumes of seawater every day, providing shelter for countless marine species, and laying the foundations for a healthier, more resilient Solent for generations to come.