Back in the 19th century, the North Sea was an oyster paradise. These bivalves were not only a culinary delight but also played a vital role in our coastal ecosystems. However, today, their presence in the wild is very rare. What happened to oyster reefs, and why are flat oysters nearly extinct in nature?

The Earth’s climate is rapidly changing, and the consequences are becoming increasingly evident. Rising temperatures, extreme weather events, and melting ice caps are just a few of the alarming signs. Addressing Climate Change is a complex global challenge. However, there’s a powerful ally that is often overlooked: the ocean.

We often talk about the incredible capabilities of oysters to filter water. They are highly efficient filter feeders, selectively extracting the most nutritious particles from the water. But how do they do that? And why is it relevant? 

Oyster restoration projects play a vital role in preserving marine ecosystems and mitigating the effects of climate change. These projects have taken place in different parts of the world over the past years, both offshore and near the coasts.

In the vast blue expanse of our oceans, a hidden threat lurks beneath the surface: eutrophication. This complex term describes a concerning phenomenon driven by human activities, impacting marine ecosystems in ways we can no longer afford to ignore. 

Eutrophication occurs when excess nutrients, primarily nitrogen and phosphorus derived from human activities, enter water systems leading to excessive algal growth that disrupt the balance of marine ecosystems.

It’s evident from our name, Oyster Heaven, that oysters are our primary focus. But why? Why do we emphasize oysters over other marine creatures when it comes to restoring the balance in our oceans and cooling down the planet? Of all the endangered species in the world, why is it our mission to bring oysters back to where they used to be?

Our model allows us to do this independently and at scale because oyster reefs do really valuable jobs such as filtering water, managing nitrogen and improving biodiversity. We carefully monitor and measure these jobs and sell them as “credits” using the profits to further regenerate oyster reefs. But what organisations should we work with?

Oysters are not the most beautiful species out there, but they have fascinating qualities. We might be a bit biased, but we are sure that these incredible features will surprise you too.