Restoration Forth Oyster Stringing Workshop

For successful restoration, we need to monitor the outcomes of our restoration efforts to find out how many oysters survive and grow. This informs future activities and is a really important part of the restoration process. To monitor our oysters, we attach them to strings using marine epoxy putty and then tether them to the seabed at our deployment sites. We are then able to collect information about these oysters to give us an indication of the overall health of the oyster population. We are delighted to invite you to help us in this process of oyster stringing!

This event is suitable for over 18’s only and not recommended for anyone with a shellfish allergy or repetitive strain injury- please see the important information at the end and get in touch if you have any questions.

Where

· Please meet us at Heriot-Watt University Edinburgh, Car Park A, for 9:45am. There will be a 10 minute walk from the car park to where we will be carrying out the oyster stringing. More details will be shared in your pre-event pack.

· Free parking is available in Car Park A (what3words: orders.solve.branch) and regular buses are available from City of Edinburgh to campus.

About this event

Meet for 9:45am at Car Park A. We will start the event with a tour of our oyster facilities and will provide you with the relevant PPE and equipment. We will then show you how to attach the oysters to the strings using the marine epoxy putty.

There will be tea breaks with refreshments provided as well as a vegan lunch. Please fill out the event booking confirmation form to let us know of any other dietary requirements or allergies.

Important Information

We will be working outside during the practical session so please wear clothes which you are comfortable and warm in, jumpers, hats, gloves, scarfs etc. and with the possibility of rain please also bring waterproofs. Personal protective equipment will be provided such as aprons and work gloves, but please wear warm comfortable clothing that you don’t mind getting a bit mucky and waterproof footwear.

This event will require long periods of standing at tables while we string the oysters. Please let us know about any accessibility needs, such as requiring a seat, when completing the event booking confirmation form.

As the event will be physical, we will be sending out paperwork before hand to capture any medical details we need to know about you. We would not advise taking part in this activity if you have a shellfish allergy or a severe repetitive strain injury.

Due to the nature of the project and the complexities of boats and tides involved in transporting oysters, it is possible that this event may need to be postponed at short notice. Please keep an eye on your emails in the lead up to the event for any updates from us. If we have to postpone this will be done at least two days before the event.

If you have any questions or want to discuss accessibility arrangements, please don’t hesitate to contact us at the email address below.

For any questions or discussion, please contact:

[email protected]

We have limited spaces available on this activity so please cancel your ticket if you are no longer able to attend so that the space can be used by someone else.

Who we are

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. Our goal is to inspire and give agency to community members from around the Forth to participate in and lead on restoration activities in the marine environment. Restoration Forth is managed by WWF Scotland but is a partnership of scientific institutions, environmental charities, and community hubs. Restoration Forth is funded by: Aviva, the Scottish Power Foundation, the Moondance Foundation, Sky and supported by the Scottish Government’s Nature Restoration Fund, through Scottish Marine Environmental Enhancement Fund (SMEEF) facilitated grants.

Photo credit: Maverick Photo Agency, Anna Inman

Host or Publisher Marine Conservation Society