A restoration project is celebrating its success with reintroducing oysters to the Forth.

Restoration Forth introduced 30,638 European flat oysters to the Firth of Forth after a 100-year absence.

Monitoring has shown that 85% of the oysters surveyed are surviving. 1,065 volunteers from the local communities around the Forth have helped clean oysters ahead of deployment and process seagrass seeds before planting.

Anna Inman, shellfish engagement officer at the Marine Conservation Society, said: "We truly appreciate all the hard work that has gone into bringing oysters back to the Firth of Forth and are delighted to have reached our milestone of 30,000 oysters restored.

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“Oysters are not only important ecosystem engineers, but also have huge cultural significance to communities around the Forth.

"It is our collective responsibility to restore and protect our seas, and Restoration Forth is a hugely positive step towards this."

One of the volunteers from local communities is Cllr Brian Goodall of the Rosyth ward, who helped to reintroduce the oysters.

The project was even shortlisted for the Nature of Scotland Awards.

Eleri Williams, seagrass officer at Scottish Seabird Centre, said: “It’s incredible how much we have achieved over the past three years of Restoration Forth, including how much we’ve learned through the seagrass trials, which will be instrumental in future restoration efforts.

“One of the most rewarding elements of my role is working with our amazing volunteers and seeing how empowering it is for them to be actively involved in restoring the local marine environment. The project wouldn’t be possible without their enthusiasm, support and hard work.”