Recent initiatives in Scotland's Highlands are tackling the decline of marine biodiversity through innovative restoration projects. Seawilding, a charity based in Ardfern, is pioneering methods to revive seagrass beds and native European oyster populations, vital for creating underwater habitats, capturing carbon, and filtering seawater.
These marine species have faced significant declines due to years of unsustainable fishing practices, pollution, and climate change. Philip Price from Seawilding emphasizes that the underwater landscape has drastically changed over the past 40 years, comparing its current state to a flat monoculture.
Currently, Seawilding is experimenting with various techniques to establish self-sustaining ecosystems but faces challenges such as low survival rates and a shortage of baby oysters. The organization aims to reintroduce up to a million oysters annually to restore balance to the ecosystem.
In contrast, local activists in Arnisdale have reported a significant drop in wild fish populations, attributing this decline partly to salmon farming by Mowi. Despite regulatory compliance claims from the company, concerns remain about the ecological impact of fish farming on surrounding marine life.