Greystones |
Recovery Beyond Dublin Bay

The story of Green Ocean began in Dublin Bay. But if Ireland’s seas are to recover, restoration cannot stop at the boundaries of a single harbour or estuary.

It must spread to new communities, new coastlines and new opportunities for nature to recover. That is why Greystones is such an important part of our journey.

In November 2025, Green Ocean Foundation launched its first restoration pilot project on the Wicklow coast, introducing native oysters to Greystones Harbour Marina to assess whether the restoration methods developed in Dublin Bay could succeed in a new environment.

The objective was simple:

“Could native oysters thrive here too?”

Early Signs of Success

Using the same carefully monitored approach developed through our Dublin Bay projects, the Greystones pilot has been tracking oyster survival, growth and overall health.

The early results have been extremely encouraging.

Greystones has quickly emerged as one of the strongest-performing restoration sites within the Green Ocean programme. The oysters are demonstrating excellent health, strong growth and notably low mortality rates.

These findings suggest that the environmental conditions along the Wicklow coast may be highly favourable for future restoration efforts.

While it is still early in the journey, the project is already providing valuable evidence that native oyster restoration may have significant potential beyond Dublin Bay.

Powered By Community

One of the most encouraging aspects of the Greystones project has been the enthusiasm of the local community.

From the earliest stages, local volunteers, supporters and stakeholders have embraced the project and shared Green Ocean’s vision of healthier seas and thriving marine ecosystems.

The official launch in February 2026 celebrated not only promising scientific results but also the growing sense of ownership and pride that local communities can feel when they become part of environmental recovery.

Because successful restoration is about more than oysters.

It is about people reconnecting with their coastline and becoming active participants in its future.

Building a Future for the Wicklow Coast

The Greystones project is helping build both the scientific understanding and community partnerships needed to support future marine restoration initiatives along the Wicklow coastline.

Every oyster monitored, every volunteer engaged and every lesson learned helps strengthen our understanding of how coastal ecosystems can recover.

Working alongside our scientific partners at DCU Water Institute, the success of Greystones is providing hope that native oyster restoration could one day play a wider role in supporting biodiversity, water quality and ecosystem resilience along Ireland’s east coast.

What started as a pilot project is helping to shape a much bigger vision.

A future where communities around Ireland are helping bring life back to their local seas.