Ulster Wildlife wins major biodiversity award for pioneering native oyster restoration in Glenarm & Carrick

Ulster Wildlife’s marine conservation team joins volunteers at Carrickfergus oyster nursery to celebrate winning Biodiversity Initiative of the Year at the 2026 All-Ireland Sustainability Awards.

Saturday 24 October 2026

A pioneering project helping to restore endangered native oysters to Northern Ireland’s coastal waters, including Carrickfergus and Glenarm, has won a prestigious all-Ireland biodiversity award.

Ulster Wildlife has been named Biodiversity Initiative of the Year at the 2026 All-Ireland Sustainability Awards, recognising its efforts to bring back the European native oyster, a species once abundant in local seas.

The award celebrates a restoration programme that has grown from a single oyster nursery in Bangor in 2022 into a network of four sites, supporting more than 3,000 adult oysters and producing millions of larvae annually.

Restoring marine life along the Antrim coast

The project now operates nurseries at Bangor Marina, Belfast Harbour, Carrickfergus and Glenarm Marina, with the latter two sites providing an important connection to Mid and East Antrim’s coastal environment.

European native oysters (Ostrea edulis) play an important role in marine ecosystems by filtering water and creating habitats where other species can find food and shelter.

Ulster Wildlife says more than 180 associated marine species have already been recorded around the nurseries, including the endangered European eel, colourful sea slugs known as nudibranchs, crabs and wrasse.

The charity is now expanding its restoration work, with thousands more oysters being deployed into the sea to help rebuild native populations beyond the nursery sites.

Local volunteers helping marine recovery

Community involvement has been central to the project’s success, with more than 80 volunteers trained as citizen scientists.

These volunteers help monitor oyster survival and growth, while collecting information about the marine life developing around the nurseries. Their observations provide valuable data to support the continuing restoration programme.

The initiative has also brought together conservation specialists, local communities, public bodies and harbour operators, including Mid and East Antrim Borough Council.

Recognition for four years of conservation work

The award was presented in Belfast on 1 October to Dr Mathieu Lundy, Head of Marine Recovery at Ulster Wildlife, and Dr Bob Brown OBE, a member of the charity’s Board.

The project was recognised from a field that attracted a record number of entries, with more than 90 submissions shortlisted across the awards. Judges highlighted its scientific approach, community participation and potential to deliver lasting environmental improvements.

Nick Baker Horne, Marine Conservation Manager at Ulster Wildlife, welcomed the recognition.

He said:

“We are honoured to be recognised among so many inspiring organisations across the island of Ireland for our work to restore the European oyster.

“These remarkable shellfish are vital to healthy marine ecosystems, and restoring them not only helps boost biodiversity but enhances water quality and climate resilience, while empowering local communities.

“This award is a testament to our colleagues, past and present, whose expertise and passion helped to drive innovation and partnerships, and build the project over the last four years, alongside the incredible volunteers who have given their time, skills, and enthusiasm.

“We are also incredibly grateful to our funders DAERA and Wilson Resources, alongside our partners Belfast Harbour, Bangor Marina, and Mid and East Antrim Borough Council, for supporting this pioneering work.”

Celebrating environmental innovation across Ireland

The 2026 All-Ireland Sustainability Awards attracted more than 300 attendees from organisations across the island of Ireland.

The ceremony formed part of the inaugural All-Ireland Festival of Sustainable Impact, held in partnership with Cushon, recognising organisations demonstrating innovation and leadership in sustainability.

For Ulster Wildlife, the award marks an important milestone in a project that continues to develop along Northern Ireland’s coastline.

With additional oysters being introduced into the sea and volunteers continuing to monitor their progress, the next challenge is establishing thriving native oyster populations that can sustain themselves in the wild.

For coastal communities in Carrickfergus, Glenarm and beyond, the project offers an opportunity to help restore a once-common species while creating healthier habitats for other marine life.

Further information about Ulster Wildlife’s native oyster restoration programme is available at ulsterwildlife.org/native-oysters