You will be shown around their seagrass container which, in 2023, successfully germinated seagrass from seed under controlled conditions before being transplanted into the newly established seagrass nursery. The nursery uses natural lighting and is supplied with water direct from the Tees estuary. The facility also has oyster nursery cages recently lowered into the estuary filled with adult oysters and monitored using a Citizen Science approach to check for biodiversity, health, and mortality. To help with planned oyster restoration projects, an oyster spatting pond has been set up which will mimic an oyster reef at sea. In this, adult oysters will be hung in summer 2024 in the top of the pond, with shells lining the bottom. Larvae from the adult oyster will be able to find a shell to develop into spat, which will be used to help create an oyster reef in the Tees estuary or surrounding coast.
During the visit there will be the opportunity to discuss the risks, challenges, and opportunities associated with setting up a mariculture facility from scratch, and learn how Tees Rivers Trust is at the forefront of marine restoration in North East England.
Trip itinary:
Friday 13 September
9:30 depart from Gateshead
10:30 arrive at PD Ports
10:30 – 12:00 Mariculture Facility tour
12:00 lunch and discussion
13:00 – back to Gateshead
14:00 – arrive at Gateshead
Max number of participants: The visit is limited to a number of 15 participants and seats will be given on a first come, first served basis.
Fee: 33€
Registration: Sign up for the excursion at the same time as you register for the ASC. If you have already registered for the conference, send us an email and we will send you a excursion registration link. Your registration is binding once you have received a confirmation from ICES. Please make sure to cancel your slot if you are unable to attend. There will be a waiting list if the interest exceeds the limited number.
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