25 Jan 2025

The materials used to protect wind turbines from corrosion leach into the surrounding water, which could pose risks to ecosystems, seafood safety and human health, new research from the University of Portsmouth has found. Offshore wind farms release thousands of tonnes of metals such as aluminium, zinc and indium each year. This is expected to […]

10 Dec 2024

Scientists have revealed that the native oyster ecosystem has declined to the extent that it has been declared ‘collapsed’, highlighting the importance of ambitious restoration initiatives across Europe. Using the IUCN Red List of Ecosystems Framework, a new study has concluded the European native oyster reef ecosystem type is collapsed, with no locations remaining in Europe where […]

05 Oct 2024

Oysters once formed extensive reefs along much of Europe’s coastline – but these complex ecosystems were destroyed over a century ago, with the advent of steam ships with powerful dredges accelerating their disappearance through overharvesting,  new research shows. Researchers found past evidence of reefs almost everywhere, from Norway to the Mediterranean, covering at least 1.7 million […]

21 May 2024

A new report sheds light on the future impacts of climate change on marine species across the United Kingdom. Focussing on 21 marine species listed as ‘threatened’ or ‘declining’, ranging from sharks and rays to seahorses and oysters, predictive models were used to forecast the impacts of climate change on ‘habitat suitability’. Factors such as […]

18 Jul 2023

Following the ReMeMaRe (Restoring Meadow, Marsh and Reef) 2023 conference which took place in Scarborough last week, Dr Rob Bradburne, the Environment Agency Chief Scientist, sets out his views and vision for marine restoration. Taking a holistic approach to coastal habitat restoration Fresh approaches Restoring saltmarshes, seagrass meadows and native oyster beds is of importance […]