The Problem
Oyster reefs are highly valuable ecosystems, providing ecological, economic, and social benefits. However, over the centuries, these ecosystems have suffered from overexploitation, as well as the impacts of disease and pollution. Today, oyster reefs are among the most threatened aquatic habitats in the world. Restoring these reefs is a complex challenge that requires innovative and multidisciplinary approaches to strengthen their resilience and promote their recovery in coastal zones that are constantly impacted by human activity.
Objectives
The RePor project will explore innovative approaches to oyster reef restoration, focusing on microbiome modulation and the induction of stress memory in juvenile oysters, with the aim of increasing their resilience to environmental stressors and pathogens.
The main objectives are:
i) To test different polymeric meshes with microbial modulators for their effects on oyster health, survival, and microbiome.
ii) To assess the combined effects of environmental stress and microbiome modulation under controlled conditions.
iii) To apply an environmental conditioning protocol (thermal shocks) and microbiome modulation in a nursery setting.
iv) To evaluate, under real-world conditions in the Ria de Aveiro, the impact of conditioning and modulation on the survival, growth, and health of transplanted oysters.
Methodology
In this project, we will investigate the effect of pre-conditioning oysters to short-term, non-lethal heat and salinity shocks, combined with microbiome modulation, prior to transplantation from the nursery to an estuarine environment. Microbiome modulation will be achieved using an innovative porous polymeric mesh made from biocompatible/biodegradable composite materials for controlled release of microbial modulators (patent pending EP23188811.6). In the final phase of the project, conditioned and non-conditioned oysters (environmental stress and microbiome modulation) will be placed at different locations in the Ria de Aveiro inside cages with and without the polymeric mesh containing microbial modulators.
Expected Results
The main expected outcomes of the RePor project include the development of an effective and innovative approach to oyster reef restoration, based on microbiome modulation and environmental conditioning of oyster spat.
Specifically, we expect:
– Increased resilience of juvenile oysters to adverse environmental conditions and pathogens.
– Improved health, growth, and survival rates of oysters in degraded natural environments.
– Validation of biodegradable polymeric meshes as a technology for the controlled release of microbial modulators.
– Creation of a replicable and sustainable strategy to support oyster reef recovery along Portugal’s coastal zones.
European Union Financial Support
This project is supported by the European Maritime, Fisheries and Aquaculture Fund (EMFAF) of the European Union, reflecting Europe’s commitment to marine biodiversity conservation, technological innovation, and the sustainable development of coastal ecosystems.
