Our native flat oyster in the Dutch North Sea is not doing well and this species is difficult to breed. The breeding line was set up to start and support new oyster populations in the wild. This year, great strides have been made to improve breeding success. The number of hatchlings reared is substantially higher than previous years. More than 3,000 hatchlings have been released for research, whose survival and growth will be closely monitored. The young oysters cannot yet be released everywhere due to regulations. In the Voordelta, near the Brouwersdam, where there is still a small natural population, it is allowed. By stocking oysters at this location, the natural population is supported and we can learn more about the reproduction and survival of flat oysters in Dutch waters.
The breeding line is an initiative of De Rijke Noordzee, Wageningen Marine Research, HZ University of Applied Sciences, Stichting Zeeschelp, NIOZ, Waardenburg Ecology and Roem van Yerseke. The “hatchlings” come from Stichting de Zeeschelp where De Rijke Noordzee and Ark Nature Development are working on farming flat oysters for nature enhancement.
