Oysters return to Belfast Lough after more than 100 years

Researchers surprised by reappearance of species without aid of reintroduction scheme

Native oysters have unexpectedly returned to the shores of Belfast Lough after more than 100 years, researchers have discovered - though scientists are still unsure how they got there.

Ostrea edulis, the European flat oyster, is listed as threatened and/or declining by the Ospar conservation scheme and is the focus of numerous biodiversity projects around Europe. But now it has impressed scientists by establishing itself in Belfast Lough without the aid of a reintroduction programme.