Millions of native oysters to be returned to the Solent

New project aims to restore what was once Europe's largest oyster fishery, off the south coast of England

Millions of native oysters are to be put into the Solent, once the site of Europe's largest oyster fishery.

The five-year project aims first to restore a thriving oyster population to the waters between the south coast and Isle of Wight. Oyster beds provide habitat for many other species and the shellfish filter vast volumes of water - 200 litres per oyster - helping to clean up pollution. Once re-established, significant oyster fishing could resume.