BESE reef paste attracts European flat oysters. Even better than other materials tested. REEFOREST successfully applies the biomimetic modules in in France.
About this project
BESE-reef paste attracts European flat oysters. Even better than other materials tested. REEFOREST successfully applies the biomimetic modules in France.
Ecosysteem
- Oyster reef
Products
- BESE-reef paste
Results
- Succesfull European oyster settlement
Partners
- Ifremer
- REEFOREST
REEFOREST: Restoring European flat oyster Reefs on the French coast
BESE-reef paste structures are used as biomimetic supports on the bottom that are favourable to settlement of European oyster. They serve as a predator mitigating restoration ´kickstarter’. The REEFOREST project (2022-2026) aims to improve the restoration methodology and implement pilot restoration operations for Eurepean oysters on various NATURA 2000 sites in France.
From oyster to oyster
Among different tested materials, bio-based products constitute a first choice target. BESE-reef paste modules consist of solid paste in a 3D shape on a stick that prevents predation. BESE-reef paste consists of 80% grinded oyster shell and slowly disintegrates in water in 1-5 years. The modules are centralized around a circular oyster to oyster concept.
Design
BESE-reef paste enhances shellfish recruitment rates. Once oysters or other shellfish have colonised the structure, it starts to disintegrate, leaving only the natural system behind. Some promising tests have recently been obtained with the BESE reef paste modules as restoration kickstarters with 32 units deployed in 2022 and in 2023. Concerning the 3D design, design shape is currently under investigation and seems to be able to reduce predation and maximize oyster growth and survival. Other materials and shapes are and will also tested all along the project duration.
Results
- European oyster recruitment at 100% of the structures
- Settlement of black scallop
- Design sufficiently robust to survive storm Ciaran
- Pilot succesfull
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