Our Green Ocean Projects
For more than 200 years, native oysters were absent from Dublin Bay. Once abundant along Ireland’s east coast, they had disappeared through a combination of overfishing, pollution and habitat loss.
Along with them went one of nature’s most remarkable ecosystem engineers – a species capable of filtering water, supporting biodiversity and helping create healthy marine habitats.
Learn more about our different Green Ocean projects on the East Coast of Ireland and how a project is built below:
Dún Laoghaire
Howth
Malahide
Greystones
Where Green Ocean Works
Site |
Year Started |
Current Stage |
Number of Oysters |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dún Laoghaire Harbour | 2023 | Broodstock population | 450 deployed as part of pilot project in 2024. An additional 600 deployed as part of phase two. 18,000 deployed in 300 floating baskets in November 2025 |
| Malahide Marina | 2023 | Scaling up to broodstock | 16,000 being deployed in 300 floating baskets November 2026 |
| Greystones Harbour Marina | November 2025 | Pilot, strong early results | 200 oysters deployed as part of first Wicklow pilot project |
| Howth Marina | 2024 | Pilot complete; project paused due to planned harbour dredging | 600 oysters deployed in 2024. |
How a Ocean Project Grows
- Pilot: a small number of oysters tests whether a site can support them.
- Monitoring: volunteers check survival and growth; DCU Water Institute measures water quality.
- Broodstock: successful sites receive thousands of oysters to form a breeding population.
- Reef Recovery: over 15–20 years, young oysters settle nearby and begin to form natural reefs.
Every project depends on volunteers, local partners and supporters. Why not volunteer with us or support a project to help bring life back to Ireland’s seas. Learn more about how you play an active role in ocean recovery here.