Native oyster

Ostrea edulis

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What to check for

Location

All areas

Production method

Culture, suspension

Rating summary

Overall, native oyster suspended aquaculture performs well on environmental impacts. They do not require any commercial feed sources as they get all their nutrient requirements from the surrounding water. There are some impacts from farms including sediment changes and shading, which can alter the local environment. Oyster farms may, however, provide some local benefits as they extract excess nutrients and particulates from coastal waters. Juvenile oysters are sourced from appropriate hatcheries and escapes from farms are not considered a concern for this native species. Disease outbreaks can and do occur, although they do not threaten regional level operations. Aquaculture policy in the UK is a devolved matter. Regulations are in place to limit environmental impacts including land and water use, discharges, disease management and biosecurity, however, there is no independent certification available.Rating last updated June 2022.

References

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Native oyster
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