THE WATER cleaning capabilities of Bangor’s oyster nursery has been hailed as ‘amazing’ by North Down MLA Peter Martin.
The DUP Assemblyman recently visited the Bangor Marina based facility when he learned of the positive impact they have on local waters.
“I was delighted to be down at Bangor Marina examining the Oyster Nursery and hearing how these amazing creatures can clean our oceans in an environmentally friendly way,” he said.
“Each oyster cleans an incredible 200 litres of water every day so having a large colony is a very effective way of cleaning the pollution out of our oceans.
“There was previously a commercial oyster fishery in Belfast Lough established in 1780 but native oysters were largely extinct by the turn of the last century. Bangor Marina has established the first native oyster nursery on Belfast Lough with 26 cages/oyster hotels tethered and suspended under the pontoons.”
The MLA’s comments follow recent revelations by Environment Minister Andrew Muir that pollution in Belfast Lough was spreading along the North Down coast, threatening local water quality.
Mr Martin said: “I want to thank the Northern Ireland Marine Task Force for requesting the meeting with me and it was really insightful and we examined issues such as nature based solutions to coastal erosion and also how we improve our water quality through both land and marine based solutions.
“I know there are similar studies with oysters ongoing in other parts of Northern Ireland and even if they just play a part in the overall picture of reducing pollution that in itself is a very worthwhile and financially viable part of the greater jigsaw,” he said.
