Forth Marine Hatchery

Project Background

The Forth Marine Hatchery is dedicated to restoring two keystone species, native European flat oysters and European lobsters, in the Firth of Forth. The project enhances biodiversity, supports marine ecosystem resilience, and provides hands-on experience for the next generation of marine scientists.

Based near North Berwick, the hatchery facility includes a full scale lobster hatchery and several oyster spatting ponds, an innovative and cost effective native oyster restoration method. A new central operations hub now brings staff and volunteers together on-site, enabling more coordinated and efficient project delivery.

Project Need

The European flat oyster (Ostrea edulis) once thrived in the Firth of Forth but is now functionally extinct locally. Its loss has removed critical ecosystem services, such as water filtration, carbon cycling, and habitat creation. Restoration is limited by the absence of a dedicated east coast hatchery, existing efforts rely on sourcing oysters from other regions, which increases the risk of disease and invasive species transfer. There is also a severe lack of supply for restoration purposes.

Similarly, European lobsters (Homarus gammarus) are a vital species ecologically and economically, but face pressure from heavy fishing and environmental degradation. Hatchery work can play a key role in helping rebuild wild stocks and supporting the future of local inshore fisheries.

The need is also educational and economic. Scotland is seeing increasing demand for practical marine conservation opportunities, yet few hands-on training routes exist for aspiring marine scientists or coastal communities.