df51465b-2a34-4dfb-9717-25d6cf6ae1cf English series series 2026-02-06T17:32:08 MEDIN 3.1.2 biota environment Habitat characterisation SeaDataNet Parameter Discovery Vocabulary 2023-12-12 revision Habitat extent SeaDataNet Parameter Discovery Vocabulary 2023-12-12 revision Habitats and biotopes GEMET - INSPIRE themes, version 1.0 2009-07-31 revision Protected sites GEMET - INSPIRE themes, version 1.0 2009-07-31 revision SeaVoX Vertical Co-ordinate Coverages 2020-05-21 revision soil and sediment 2025-06-23T23:00:00 2025-12-24T00:00:00 -5 -3 53.5 55 TCE-4465 Marine Data Exchange 2025, North West Wildlife Trust, Marine Internships, Native Oyster Restoration Feasibility 2026-01-07T08:36:07 publication English The loss of native oysters (Ostrea edulis) from much of the UK also saw the loss of their ecosystem services. In the face of both climate and biodiversity crises, the restoration of these ecosystem engineers presents a nature-based solution for the recovery of marine ecosystems. High-level national studies have identified limited suitable areas for restoration in the North West of England however, regional assessments reveal greater areas of suitability. Here, I increase the search area in the North West, developing a habitat suitability map (HSM) to assess ecological suitability and examining historic records to establish precedent for restoration. I found 81.2km2 of suitable habitat within the search area of which some areas would pose logistical challenges for restoration. Historic records identified a mapped reef off the coast of Fleetwood, totalling 7.4km2 and overlapping exactly with an area of ecological suitability. This indicates the reliability of the HSM output and provides a strong case for the feasibility of restoration at the site off Fleetwood. Further scoping is needed to better establish feasibility of the site, predominantly through data-collection at the site to ground-truth the HSM. Next steps would ideally include continued scoping of the Fleetwood site while deploying a brood stock in the area to establish an ecological trial and engage with local stakeholders. The following report was produced as part of the Marine Futures Internship; a collaborative project between Natural England, Ørsted, The Crown Estate and the North West Wildlife Trusts, which is funded by The Crown Estate and managed by Cumbria Wildlife Trust. The Deliverables must be used in accordance with the Marine Data Exchange's Terms of Use otherRestrictions The Deliverables must be used in accordance with the Marine Data Exchange's Terms of Use otherRestrictions The Crown Estate +44 020 7851 5000 enquiries@thecrownestate.co.uk custodian Cumbria Wildlife Trust BethC@cumbriawildlifetrust.org.uk originator The Crown Estate +44 020 7851 5000 enquiries@thecrownestate.co.uk distributor Cumbria Wildlife Trust BethC@cumbriawildlifetrust.org.uk owner notPlanned Documents https://www.marinedataexchange.co.uk/details/TCE-4465/summary A link to the web service or dataset. https://www.marinedataexchange.co.uk A link to the general host site. Commission Regulation (EU) No 1089/2010 of 23 November 2010 implementing Directive 2007/2/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council as regards interoperability of spatial data sets and services 2010-12-08T00:00:00 publication False series See report Cumbria Wildlife Trust BethC@cumbriawildlifetrust.org.uk pointOfContact EPSG Geodetic Parameter Registry 2022-11-29 revision WGS 84