More than 18,000 oysters are being deployed in Dún Laoghaire harbour in Dublin in the next phase of an initiative to reintroduce the shellfish to Dublin Bay over 200 years after they became extinct from the area.
It is hoped the oysters, which will not be for commercial use, will bring environmental benefits to the waters they are in.
The native adult Irish oysters, which were harvested from the waters off Co Kerry, will be placed into the harbour in specialised floating flip baskets by 20 volunteers.
It's part of ongoing efforts to create an oyster reef along the hard armouring of Dún Laoghaire's middle pier.
The Green Ocean Foundation, a not-for-profit company behind the initiative, has piloted the technique over the past two years in a number of places around Dublin Bay, including Howth, Malahide and Poolbeg.
It said the DCU Water Institute, which oversees the project, has recorded excellent growth, survival, reproduction, and settlement rates.
Green Ocean Foundation Director David Lawlor said he hopes the oysters will make a difference to the local ecosystem.
"Oysters are climate heroes. Each one filters 190-200 litres of seawater daily, removing nitrates and plankton to clarify the water column. This allows sunlight to reach the seabed, enhancing photosynthesis, and promoting the growth of seagrass and seaweed habitats," Mr Lawlor said.
"Oyster reefs also stabilise the seafloor, reduce turbidity, and buffer coastlines from storm surges, making them a keystone species in strengthening marine ecosystem resilience."
If this initiative proves successful, the plan is to expand it to a number of other areas including Greystones in Co Wicklow.
"We want to encourage communities to take on similar environmental restoration projects, and to motivate businesses and individuals to support or participate in our expanding initiatives," Mr Lawlor said.
"Climate action cannot wait for government or EU funding, it begins with committed, community-driven projects like this one."
