Oyster recovery, Littlehampton Harbour

Sussex Bay is proud to fund our first oyster restoration project, developed from a growing collaboration between Harbour Oysters, Sussex Bay and Littlehampton Harbour Board.

Funded by our Blue Natural Capital Lab without public funds and identified as a key strategic action within our Blueprint for Seascape Recovery, a new pilot native oyster installation has recently been delivered at Littlehampton Harbour, marking an important step in expanding oyster recovery work along the Sussex coast. The project builds on Harbour Oysters’ established work in Chichester Harbour and Emsworth, bringing a science-led and community-focused approach to the River Arun.

Founded by marine professionals and sisters Lottie and Poppy Johns, Harbour Oysters uses native oysters, Ostrea edulis, to help improve water quality, enhance biodiversity and restore lost marine habitats. Often described as ecosystem engineers, native oysters can filter large volumes of water, improve water clarity and create habitat for other marine species.

Following the success of the pilot, further sites within Littlehampton Harbour have now received the necessary licences for additional oyster installations. These next sites will allow the partnership to build on early learning, expand environmental benefits and further embed oyster recovery within the harbour environment.

We aim, subject to robust monitoring, to scale up oyster restoration across the Sussex Bay region, helping to restore lost habitats, improve water quality and support marine biodiversity where conditions are suitable.