St Helier Marina oysters
About the project
We have deployed over 6,000kg of mature oysters into St Helier marina and harbour to improve the marine environment.
We’ve worked with Chris Le Masurier, owner of Jersey Oyster Company;
“We are incredibly grateful to be collaborating with Ports of Jersey on this innovative project. This initiative not only highlights the remarkable natural abilities of oysters but also underscores our commitment to sustainability. By working together, we aim to make St Helier Harbour a cleaner, healthier, and more sustainable environment for future generations.”
Benefits
Oysters are highly efficient at filtering water. A single oyster can filter up to 190 litres of water per day. The 6000 kg of oysters, amounting to nearly 50,000 individual oysters, can collectively filter around 9,500,000 litres of water daily. This is expected to significantly enhance the ecological health of the harbour.
The benefits of this project include:
- improved water quality: oysters filter out pollutants, algae, and sediments, leading to clearer and cleaner water.
- nutrient reduction: they help remove excess nutrients like nitrogen and phosphorus, preventing harmful algal blooms.
- biodiversity enhancement: oyster reefs provide habitat for various marine species, boosting local biodiversity.
- carbon sequestration: oysters trap carbon dioxide in their shells and stabilise sediments, which helps reduce CO₂ levels.
- erosion control: oyster reefs act as natural barriers, reducing wave energy and protecting shorelines from erosion.
- economic benefits: healthy oyster populations can support local fisheries and aquaculture.
The project uses Triploid Oysters, which are sterile and do not reproduce. This allows them to grow faster and remain plump year-round, providing consistent water filtration. Triploid Oysters are safe for marine environments and are commonly used in aquaculture due to their resilience and efficiency.
Locations
- Albert Pier Number 1 Stage: This deployment includes nearly 6,250 oysters, each capable of filtering up to 190 litters of water per day. This will significantly improve water quality in the area.
- St Helier Marina Under the Walkway Ramp: We have created a living oyster reef with approximately 33,333 oysters. This reef will not only filter water but also provide habitat for various marine species, boosting local biodiversity.
- Southwest Corner of the Marina: With around 16,667 oysters placed in cages, this deployment showcases the oysters’ natural abilities and is conveniently located next to one of our rental pods named “Oyster.” This area will serve as a focal point for visitors to learn about the benefits of oysters and enjoy the scenic beauty of the marina.
Monitoring
The oysters will be closely monitored to assess their health and effectiveness in improving water quality. Data collected from this project will help inform future environmental initiatives aimed at maintaining good quality water in the harbour. While oysters benefit from the nutrient-rich environment in the harbour, they can also be exposed to pollutants and diseases. They will be carefully managed to ensure their health and the sustainability of the project.
These oysters are not for eating! Oysters used for water filtration are not recommended for consumption due to the potential accumulation of pollutants and toxins. It is safer to consume oysters specifically farmed for food.
Many thanks to Seapower Marine for supporting this initiative.
Living Seawalls
We have launched Living Seawalls, a new project promoting the growth of marine life within our local marinas.
The idea has been inspired by a program from the Sydney Institute of Marine Science who have designed and created large concrete tiles that attach to the smooth sea walls around Sydney Harbour. Our project will recreate these tiles on a smaller scale using a 3D printer and recycled printer filament, made in-house from old plastic bottles found on beaches and collected from schools.
We will be involving students from across the island, targeting primary school groups and GSCE students. The younger students will look at local creatures living around the coastline already. Combining their efforts with older students focusing on local rock formation and the design process, we should be able to create unique tiles that fit with the natural coastline and mimic a habitat that attracts further marine life to our marinas.
Along the journey, we will be inviting sponsorship from companies who are looking at offsetting their carbon emissions. With different sponsorship opportunities available and the large scalability of the project, it’s a great way to increase community engagement and get involved with local schools.
Bay of St Catherine seagrass protection initiative
The Bay of St Catherine supports a wealth of marine life; one of significant importance is the seagrass beds that have established in the area and reported to be the largest site around Jersey’s coastline.
Seagrass, along with being a vital nursery, provides shelter for marine fauna and at low water important feeding grounds for wildfowl and other birds. It is also recognised for its blue carbon, calculated to absorb carbon 35 times more than tropical rainforests.
Jersey’s hidden seagrass treasures – Blue Marine Foundation
Blue Carbon Resources: An Assessment of Jersey’s Territorial Seas (gov.je)
Studies have highlighted that traditional mooring systems and anchoring cause significant damage to the seagrass and erosion to the seabed by the mooring chain, damaging the benthic ecosystems within the vicinity.
Satellite imagery taken in July 2021, clearly indicates areas of erosion around moorings in the seagrass beds. The average area of damage caused by a mooring is 100m2 and the largest area identified is 350m2 (based on 2021 aerial image).
Our mission
Our mission is to ensure that we are protecting this special and biodiverse rich habitat allowing the seagrass meadow to flourish, not just for the here and now, but for future generations.
Project goals
The project goals are to ensure there is mutually beneficial management of the area through consistent and adaptive administration of moorings within the deep-water site and to afford protection for the marine environment encapsulated within this area through the following methods:
- Ensure all moorings are identified and accounted for
- Gradually reduce the overall number of moorings within the deep-water site
- Establish a no-anchoring zone and visitor moorings where possible
- Remove any unused moorings
- Protect the seagrass beds as a valuable habitat for many marine ecosystems and for its recognised ‘blue carbon’ status.
A working group has been established consisting of the following:
- Ports of Jersey
- Government of Jersey Marine Resources – Environment Department
- Jersey Marine Conservation
- Blue Marine Foundation
- St Catherine’s user group
Collectively working together with users of the bay to protect this valuable area.