 Native Oysters |
Rex had learned during our trip that a coalition of scientists, conservationists and fishermen are working together to restore the UK's largest protected area for native oysters just off Mersea Island. Oyster farming has been recorded in Mersea since Roman times, with the shellfish forming a staple part of British diets throughout history. However, populations of the European native, or Colchester oyster have suffered dramatic declines in recent centuries. Members of the Essex Native Oyster Restoration Initiative (ENORI) are creating the region's first mother oyster sanctuary off Mersea Island - the only Marine Conservation Zone (MCZ) in England for native oysters. ENORI - a joint venture led by The Zoological Society of London and including Essex Wildlife Trust, Blackwater Oysterman's Association, the University of Essex, and Natural England - has begun creating the habitat required for the mother oyster sanctuary, replenishing the estuary's lost oysters.
 Intrepid Heroes Return |
Recycled oyster and cockle shells and stones - known as cultch - have been laid onto the estuary floor, as oysters need a hard surface to grow on, which is not naturally found on the muddy estuary beds in Essex. This is followed by adult females or 'mother oysters' being laid, which, when conditions are right, will spawn in the coming weeks, initiating the first stages of the native oyster's life cycle.
We soon located the buoys marking out where the new beds had been laid, and after a quick inspection we headed to the channel that lead us up to the saltings.
Meryl was already waiting for us on the jetty by Duonita's berth, and Rex impressed her by gliding into the berth without wrecking any of the pilings. I left them to greet each other as man and wife normally do while I tended to ropes. It was good to be welcomed back by her to our homeport again, a simple hug was all I needed.
The intrepid heroes had returned unscathed again.