European Flat Oyster restoration with BESE-reef paste. BESE-reef paste attracts European flat oysters. Even better than most other materials tested. REEFOREST successfully applies these biomimetic modules in in France.
About this project
BESE-reef paste attracts European flat oysters. Even better than other materials tested. REEFOREST successfully applies the biomimetic modules in France.
REEFOREST: Restoring European Flat Oyster Reefs on the French coast
BESE-reef paste structures are used as biomimetic supports on the bottom that are favorable to settlement of European Flat Oysters. They serve as a predator mitigating restoration ´kickstarter’. The REEFOREST project (2022-2026) aims to improve the restoration methodology and implement pilot restoration operations for European oysters on various NATURA 2000 sites in France.
Innovative Methods in European Flat Oyster Restoration: From oyster to oyster
Among different tested materials, bio-based products constitute a first choice target. BESE-reef paste modules consist of solid paste in a 3D shape on a stick that prevents predation. BESE-reef paste consists of 80% grinded oyster shell and slowly disintegrates in water in 1-5 years. The modules are centralized around a circular oyster to oyster concept.
Design for European Flat Oyster restoration
BESE-reef paste enhances shellfish recruitment rates. Once oysters or other shellfish have colonised the structure, it starts to disintegrate, leaving only the natural system behind. Some promising tests have recently been obtained with the BESE reef paste modules as restoration kickstarters with 32 units deployed in 2022 and in 2023. Concerning the 3D design, design shape is currently under investigation and seems to be able to reduce predation and maximize oyster growth and survival. Other materials and shapes are and will also tested all along the project duration.
Reef paste discs on wooden sticks to protect larvae from predation
Oyster larvae are attracted to the reef paste as it releases the right settlement cues. After settlement, the oysters can grow off-bottom, safe from predation, into fully grown oysters that are capable to withstand predation pressure from snails on the seafloor. As they grow bigger, and the paste degrades, oysters drop to the seafloor to from a natural reef. Recruitment on the reef paste discs is an ongoing process until the reef paste is fully degraded (1-5 years).
For more information about how BESE-reef paste works for Flat European Oyster restoration see our BESE-reef paste page.
Ecosystem development following installation
Results
- European oyster recruitment at 100% of the structures
- Settlement of black scallop
- Design sufficiently robust to survive storm Ciaran
- Pilot succesfull
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