Ireland launches €1.5M project to rebuild native oyster reefs and boost coastal resilience

A €1.5 million marine research initiative led by University College Dublin (UCD) aims to restore Ireland’s long-lost native oyster reefs, marking a major step toward rebuilding coastal biodiversity and strengthening ecosystem resilience. 

The five-year BRICONS project (Building Resilient Irish Coasts through Oyster Restoration) brings together UCD, Atlantic Technological University (ATU), Queen’s University Belfast (QUB), and Trinity College Dublin (TCD) under the Marine Institute’s Marine Research Programme.

Once thriving along Ireland’s shores, the European flat oyster (Ostrea edulis) reefs vanished due to centuries of overfishing and habitat degradation. BRICONS seeks to reverse that decline by re-establishing these reefs as natural defences against erosion and climate impacts. The initiative will explore how living reefs can stabilise sediments, filter water, and create vital habitats for marine life while complementing port and harbour operations.

“Nature-based solutions like oyster reef restoration can help our coasts adapt to climate change. Oyster reefs can enhance biodiversity, improve water quality, and serve as buffers against erosion and storms,” said Dr Paul Brooks, project coordinator and marine ecologist at UCD.

The research consortium will establish pilot sites in collaboration with port authorities and coastal communities to test restoration methods and demonstrate scalable solutions for sustainable coastal management. BRICONS will also create five new research roles across participating universities, strengthening Ireland’s capacity in marine restoration science.

Supported by cross-border expertise, BRICONS aligns with the EU Nature Restoration Law, which mandates the revival of degraded habitats. 

Learn more about how BRICONS could redefine Ireland’s marine future in the full article.