Continual efforts are made each year to restore and regenerate marine environments across the globe, and although not all conservation projects receive the attention of exotic destinations such as the Great Barrier Reef, each plays a vital role in maintaining the oceans.

The Solent is the strait between England and the Isle of Wight and the location of the AAM Cowes Race Week from 6-13 of August. Here, the Blue Marine Foundation is working to restore this ancient oyster fishery by replenishing wild oyster stocks. The following is a press release from MDL Marina Consultancy on their contribution to the foundation.

Press Release

MDL MARINA CONSULTANCY SUPPORTS SOLENT OYSTER REGENERATION WITH 20,000 OYSTERS

MDL Marina Consultancy, a division of MDL Marinas Group Ltd, is delighted to announce its continued support of the Blue Marine Foundation (BLUE) in its campaign to restore the historic Solent oyster fishery, donating £500 to purchase 20,000 oysters and help restore the once thriving fishery in the Solent.

This follows the great work MDL, BLUE and the Land Rover BAR team have been doing at the team’s new headquarters in Portsmouth. They have been working together to create protected cages of adult oysters on the team’s training pontoon, with the view to replicate this to reproduce and ‘reseed’ the once thriving fishery. The pontoon ecology work was recently recognised with an ‘excellent’ BREEAM rating as part of an overall award for the high standards of sustainable design at its headquarters.

BLUE Executive Director, Charles Clover, commented: “We are very pleased to have the full support of MDL Marina Consultancy. Their donation of £500 has allowed us to purchase an incredible 20,000 oysters to help repopulate the Solent’s oyster regeneration. Our aim is to have ten million oysters in the Solent and we hope to unite companies, organisations and individuals to harness the funding and collaborative expertise needed to support our work in reaching this target.”

Alex Beere, Head of Consultancy at MDL Marina Consultancy, commented: “We fully support the work of BLUE and believe re-establishing the Solent oyster fishery will be a very successful venture – both from an economic and environmental perspective. We are delighted that our donation can buy 20,000 oysters. It’s a great way to kick-start the BLUE campaign and we look forward to seeing the oyster population grow as the campaign receives further support.”