Molecular detection of European flat oyster (Ostrea edulis) larvae in the North Sea using eDNA and meroplankton metabarcoding

This dataset contains raw high-throughput sequencing data generated from environmental DNA (eDNA) and meroplankton samples collected in the German Bight (North Sea) during the 2022 osyter spawning season. Samples were processed using DNA metabarcoding to detect the presence of the European flat oyster (Ostrea edulis), a reef-building species currently under restoration in the region. The dataset provides molecular evidence of oyster occurrence and larval presence across two marine protected areas (Borkum Reef Ground and Sylt Outer Reef) and adjacent sites. These data form the basis for assessing functional connectivity and support restoration planning by linking empirical detections to larval dispersal modelling. The dataset includes only those samples in which O. edulis was detected. The remaining sequence data from the full sampling campaign are available under accession number PRJEB81252.