Restoration Forth
A project with communities and organisations to restore vital seagrass meadows and European flat oysters in the Firth of Forth.
Project overview
Project overview
Restoration Forth is a major marine restoration programme working with communities to restore seagrass habitats and European flat oyster populations in the Firth of Forth.
By 2026, we aim to trial seagrass restoration across 4 hectares and return 30,000 oysters to the Firth of Forth. We also aim to influence government policy to boost restoration efforts across Scotland.
Why we're doing it
Why we're doing it
Seagrass is an unsung hero of our oceans! On average, a meadow twice the size of a football pitch can support 80,000 fish and a million invertebrates. Seagrass helps fight climate change, improve water quality, and reduce coastal erosion. It's vital for a healthy marine environment. Yet, over the last century, we have lost up to 92% of our seagrass meadows in the UK.
European flat oysters also play a crucial role in restoring our seas. They stabilise the seabed, store carbon, and boost biodiversity. But their significance isn’t just environmental - they hold a rich local history. Oysters were once thriving in the Firth of Forth. Vast oyster beds provided food and livelihoods. But overfishing and industrial development led to their extinction in the area.
By restoring these species, we aim to bring life back to our waters - for nature, climate, and future generations.
Project impact
Project impact
Restoration Forth has been making waves for marine restoration around the Firth of Forth!
Thanks to the support of local volunteers, a total of 220,392 seagrass seeds have been planted around Firth of Forth beaches. The team transplanted 880 seagrass cores (established seagrass with sediment), which are showing positive results so far.
The project celebrated a key milestone - reintroducing European flat oysters into the Firth of Forth after a 100-year absence! Restoration Forth has introduced 30,638 European flat oysters to the Forth – with those monitored showing an 85% survival rate so far.
Local people have played a key role with over 1,100 people participating in over 384 events. Communities celebrated the project with a unique mural in the Heart of Newhaven, by local artist Natasha Russell.
Take part in the project
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© Maverick Photo AgencyMore 3 April | Oyster Biosecurity
Date: Thursday 3rd of April
Time: 9:45am - 4pm
Location: Heriot-Watt University Edinburgh Campus
We are delighted to invite you to join us in the preparation of European flat oysters to be reintroduced to the Firth of Forth as part of the Restoration Forth project. These oysters are contributing to the restoration of European flat oysters in the Firth of Forth for the first time in 100 years!
The oysters will have previously been collected by the team from the west coast of Scotland. We are inviting you to get involved in the biosecurity processes of oysters necessary for their movement to a restoration site and to join with lots of learning along the way.
This event is suitable for over 18’s only and not recommended for anyone with a shellfish or seafood allergy or repetitive strain injury- please see the important information at the end and get in touch if you have any questions.
Register -
© Maverick Photo AgencyMore 21 April | Oyster Biosecurity
Date: Monday 21st of April
Time: 9:45am - 12:30pm
Location: Heriot-Watt University Edinburgh Campus
We are delighted to invite you to join us in the preparation of European flat oysters to be reintroduced to the Firth of Forth as part of the Restoration Forth project. These oysters are contributing to the restoration of European flat oysters in the Firth of Forth for the first time in 100 years!
The oysters will have previously been collected by the team from the west coast of Scotland. We are inviting you to get involved in the biosecurity processes of oysters necessary for their movement to a restoration site and to join with lots of learning along the way.
This event is suitable for over 18’s only and not recommended for anyone with a shellfish or seafood allergy or repetitive strain injury- please see the important information at the end and get in touch if you have any questions.
Register -
© Maverick Photo Agency / WWF-UKMore 22 April | Oyster Biosecurity
Date: Tuesday 22nd of April
Time: 9:45am - 12:30pm
Location: Heriot-Watt University Edinburgh Campus
We are delighted to invite you to join us in the preparation of European flat oysters to be reintroduced to the Firth of Forth as part of the Restoration Forth project. These oysters are contributing to the restoration of European flat oysters in the Firth of Forth for the first time in 100 years!
The oysters will have previously been collected by the team from the west coast of Scotland. We are inviting you to get involved in the biosecurity processes of oysters necessary for their movement to a restoration site and to join with lots of learning along the way.
This event is suitable for over 18’s only and not recommended for anyone with a shellfish or seafood allergy or repetitive strain injury- please see the important information at the end and get in touch if you have any questions.
Register -
© Maverick Photo Agency
More 23 April | Oyster Biosecurity
Date: Wednesday 23rd of April
Time: 9:45am - 12:30pm
Location: Heriot-Watt University Edinburgh Campus
We are delighted to invite you to join us in the preparation of European flat oysters to be reintroduced to the Firth of Forth as part of the Restoration Forth project. These oysters are contributing to the restoration of European flat oysters in the Firth of Forth for the first time in 100 years!
The oysters will have previously been collected by the team from the west coast of Scotland. We are inviting you to get involved in the biosecurity processes of oysters necessary for their movement to a restoration site and to join with lots of learning along the way.
This event is suitable for over 18’s only and not recommended for anyone with a shellfish or seafood allergy or repetitive strain injury- please see the important information at the end and get in touch if you have any questions.
Register -
© Maverick Photo Agency
More 24 April | Oyster Biosecurity
Date: Thursday 24th of April
Time: 9:45am - 12:30pm
Location: Heriot-Watt University Edinburgh Campus
We are delighted to invite you to join us in the preparation of European flat oysters to be reintroduced to the Firth of Forth as part of the Restoration Forth project. These oysters are contributing to the restoration of European flat oysters in the Firth of Forth for the first time in 100 years!
The oysters will have previously been collected by the team from the west coast of Scotland. We are inviting you to get involved in the biosecurity processes of oysters necessary for their movement to a restoration site and to join with lots of learning along the way.
This event is suitable for over 18’s only and not recommended for anyone with a shellfish or seafood allergy or repetitive strain injury- please see the important information at the end and get in touch if you have any questions.
Register
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Other ways to get involved
Restoration Forth aims to empower communities around the Firth of Forth to become champions for their local environment. Whether you're advocating for better nature protection or participating in citizen science, there are many ways you can make a real impact. Here are a few ideas to get you started:
Scotland loves nature
Seagrass monitoring
Oyster and Habitat Monitoring
Restoration Forth Case Study
Find your nearest hub
We welcome your feedback about this project
Your views are very important to us and we take any feedback we receive seriously. If you would like to comment on the project please do so here.
Partners
Funding Parnters
The first phase of Restoration Forth (2022-24) was made possible by funding from Aviva, the Moondance Foundation, the ScottishPower Foundation and the Scottish Government’s Nature Restoration Fund, facilitated by the Scottish Marine Environmental Enhancement Fund, and managed by NatureScot.
The current phase of Restoration Forth is made possible by funding from Sky and the Cinven Foundation; the project is supported by the Scottish Government’s Nature Restoration Fund, managed by NatureScot.
