2022-2024 FISP: Ecosystem Benefits of UK Oyster Aquaculture Sites Mumbles 2023 Dredge Sampling Survey

As part of the Fisheries Industry Science Partnerships (FISP) project 'Ecosystem Benefits of UK Oyster Aquaculture Sites' project partners Tethys Oysters Ltd. / Atlantic Edge Oysters Ltd., Envision Marine Ltd. and the University of Essex have collaborated in a research project to determine ecosystem benefits provided by oyster aquaculture by measuring biodiversity and denitrification activity at a variety of sites in England and Wales. Surveys were undertaken by ENVISION in 2023 to measure the biodiversity associated with three oyster farms and one naturalised rock oyster reef in comparison to control sites with similar environmental conditions, as well as ecosystem function (nitrification/denitrification activity) at these sites. Recognising the importance of conservation and restoration of native oyster populations, surveys were also carried out in 2022 and 2023 to measure oyster abundance and associated biodiversity at an historic native oyster site, commercially restocked with native oysters in 2021. Survey works included recording of underwater imagery, sediment sampling, oyster dredging and ecosystem function sampling. Underwater camera systems were used to record the diversity of biota around the oysters during submersion. Sediment samples were taken for measurement of diversity of macrofauna, particle size distribution and total organic carbon, and the ecosystem function testing involved sampling of sediment and swabs of oysters/hard surfaces to determine the abundance and activity of denitrifying/nitrifying microorganisms on oyster site substrates, through genomic analysis. The results of the denitrification and biodiversity services provided by oyster aquaculture were communicated to consumers, industry and decision makers to increase understanding and promote awareness of the ecosystem benefits provided by aquaculture.作为渔业产业科学合作计划（Fisheries Industry Science Partnerships, FISP）项下《英国牡蛎养殖场地的生态系统效益》项目的组成部分，合作方泰西斯牡蛎有限公司（Tethys Oysters Ltd.）、大西洋沿岸牡蛎有限公司（Atlantic Edge Oysters Ltd.）、远景海洋有限公司（Envision Marine Ltd.）与埃塞克斯大学（University of Essex）联合开展了一项研究课题，旨在通过测定英格兰与威尔士多个场地的生物多样性与脱氮活性（denitrification activity），明确牡蛎养殖所提供的生态系统效益。2023年，远景海洋有限公司开展了调查工作，对比环境条件相似的对照场地，对3座牡蛎养殖场与1处归化岩牡蛎礁的相关生物多样性进行测算，同时测定这些场地的生态系统功能（硝化/脱氮活性（nitrification/denitrification activity））。鉴于本土牡蛎种群保护与修复的重要性，研究团队还于2022年与2023年开展了额外调查，对一处2021年通过商业化方式补种本土牡蛎的历史原生牡蛎场地的牡蛎丰度及相关生物多样性进行测定。本次调查工作涵盖水下影像录制、沉积物采样、牡蛎拖网采样与生态系统功能采样：水下摄像系统在水下作业期间记录了牡蛎周边生物群落的多样性；沉积物样本被用于测算大型底栖生物（macrofauna）多样性、粒径分布与总有机碳含量；生态系统功能测试则采集沉积物样本与牡蛎/硬质表面拭子，通过基因组分析（genomic analysis）测定牡蛎场地基质上脱氮/硝化微生物的丰度与活性。研究团队将牡蛎养殖所提供的脱氮服务与生物多样性服务相关成果传递给消费者、行业从业者与决策者，以提升各方对水产养殖活动生态系统效益的认知与理解。