On 19 May, partners and stakeholders gathered at Ghent University for an inspiring visit to the oyster spat cultivation facilities at Campus Coupure, organised as part of the oyster restoration pilot within the Vlaamse Banken MPA under the BLUE CONNECT project.
The visit provided participants with an in-depth look at the remote set cultivation process of European flat oyster (Ostrea edulis) larvae in a closed recirculation system built inside two mobile containers. The development from mobile larvae to settled spat on stone is supported by tender loving care and lots of algae during 4–6 weeks before their deployment at sea (end of May). Researchers and project partners shared insights into the restoration efforts and the ecological importance of rebuilding native oyster populations in the North Sea.
Attendees had the opportunity to observe the specialised containers and infrastructure used for the cultivation process, while discussions focused on restoration methodologies, collaboration between partners, and the next steps of the pilot project. The event concluded with a tasting of European flat oysters provided by Aquacultuur Oostende.
The gathering highlighted the strong cooperation between scientific institutions, maritime companies, federal institutes and regional stakeholders working together to support marine biodiversity and sustainable ecosystem recovery through the BLUE CONNECT project.
Shortly after, on 28 May, the pilot took centre stage at the symposium Nature Restoration in the Belgian Part of the North Sea in Ostend. Mieke Eggermont (UGent–ARC) presented the latest progress from the Vlaamse Banken demonstration site during the plenary session. Through a compelling visual presentation, she guided the audience along the collaborative work of the Belgian demo site partners over the past period — from field preparations to oyster settlement, growth monitoring, and deployment activities. The presentation was very well received and highlighted the strong teamwork driving ecological restoration in the North Sea within the BLUE CONNECT project.
