A LOCAL Assemblyman has praised efforts to establish an oyster reef at Bangor Marina as a welcome boost for local marine life.
Independent Unionist Alex Easton and councillor Wesley Irvine recently visited Bangor Marina to see the conservation efforts to bring oysters back to Belfast Lough.
The native oyster nursery was established at Bangor Marina back in May 2022 to mark World Endangered Species Day and help return the species to its former glory.
Historically oysters were present in the waters surrounding Bangor Marina with the first recognised commercial oyster fishery established in Belfast Lough in 1780.
Oysters played an important part of local marine history until 1903 when they became extinct – just two years ago Ulster Wildlife embarked on a project to encourage their natural recovery and restore the local population.
Twenty four oyster cages were suspended in the water beneath several of Bangor Marina’s pontoons and it is hoped that they will establish an oyster reef.
Following his visit Mr Easton said he was delighted to see the efforts by the Marine Taskforce to establish an oyster reef.
“Oysters are an important part of our ecosystem as they are able to remove carbon from our seas,” he said. “I would urge more conservation efforts so that we can protect our seas and would like to thank Robert Walsh from the Bangor Marine Taskforce for explaining the work they are doing.”
Said Mr Easton: “A healthy ocean is vital for life on earth as we know it. Yet marine ecosystems are being degraded and biodiversity is being lost at an alarming rate. We no longer have a sustainable natural system that can provide reliable supplies of clean water, regulate our climate or secure our food supplies.
“In Belfast Lough we see the damage that has been done and it is quite clear that commercial fishing over many years has decimated many types of fish and wildlife within the Lough.
“Having spoken to anglers they no longer catch many of the different species they once did. An example of this is the Thornback Ray which was once abundant in Belfast Lough and is now extinct.”
