Biodiversity Programmes

We are currently focussed on two projects that fall within our biodiversity programmes, Oyster Restoration and Seahorse Cities. Find out more below!

To check for volunteering opportunities, visit our Eventbrite page: https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/o/final-straw-foundation-38668849343

Native Oyster Restoration

Click on the arrow below to find out more about our oyster restoration projects in the Solent area.

Native Oyster Restoration

Native Oyster Restoration

Over the winter of 2025, under the guidance of the Blue Marine Foundation, the Final Straw Foundation will begin an exciting new project to restore the local population of native European flat oysters (Ostrea edulis).

Bringing Oysters Back to the Solent

Over 10,000 oysters will be installed in marinas across the Solent. These oysters will act as broodstock, releasing millions of larvae to help repopulate local waters. Alongside this, we’ll be monitoring water quality to understand how native oysters can serve as a nature-based solution to improve the health of our coastal waters – both locally and across the UK.

A Lost Legacy

Once abundant across the Solent, native oysters supported thriving ecosystems and local economies. However, their populations have declined by around 95% due to overfishing, disease, habitat loss, and pollution. Today, while many of the “oyster towns” have evolved into tourist destinations, the remnants of their past – old oyster beds scattered along the shorelines – remind us of what’s been lost.

This story mirrors that of countless coastal communities across the UK and Europe. Native oysters are more than just shellfish. They are ecosystem engineers, playing a crucial role in maintaining healthy marine environments. While our communities may have moved on, our ecosystems have not, and they continue to struggle in the absence of this keystone species.

Why Oysters Matter

Restoring native oyster populations offers a wealth of environmental benefits:

  • Boosting biodiversity and supporting marine life
  • Reducing algal blooms by removing excess nutrients
  • Stabilising sediment and improving water clarity
  • Filtering pollutants, enhancing overall water quality

A single adult oyster can filter up to 200 litres of water per day, making them a powerful ally in tackling water pollution. That’s why we’ll be measuring pollution levels at all restoration sites before and after installation to see firsthand how effective oysters can be in restoring cleaner, healthier waters.

Community Involvement

We’re thrilled to be working with our incredible team of volunteers, who are helping with every stage of the project, from building oyster habitats to monitoring and installation. Their passion and dedication make this work possible.

If you’d like to get involved and lend a hand in restoring the Solent’s native oysters, we’d love to hear from you! We will be holding oyster scrubbing events over the winter – you can find out about our events on our Eventbrite page.

Go to our Eventbrite page

Our Thanks

We extend our heartfelt thanks to the Blue Marine Foundation for their continued support and guidance. Their restoration frameworks have empowered community-based conservation projects like ours to take meaningful, local action for our marine environment.

Seahorse Cities

Click on the arrow below to find out more about the Seahorse Cities project in the Solent area.

Seahorse Cities

Seahorse Cities: Giving Langstone Harbour’s Hidden Treasures a Home

We’re passionate about protecting our local marine life, especially the species that often go unseen. That’s why we’re proud to be part of Seahorse Cities, an innovative project restoring vital seahorse habitats in Langstone Harbour, Hampshire.

This collaborative initiative is led by researchers from the University of Portsmouth’s Institute of Marine Sciences and supported by the FatFace Foundation, alongside partners including The Seahorse Trust, The Clean Harbours Partnership, Langstone Harbour Board, Southsea Sub Aqua Club, and Sea Life Trust. Together, we’re combining science, community, and conservation to help seahorses – and the ecosystems they depend on – thrive once again.

Why Seahorses?

The UK is home to two native seahorse species: the Short-snouted Seahorse and the Spiny Seahorse. These remarkable creatures are slow-moving, territorial, and depend heavily on healthy habitats such as seagrass meadows and underwater structures for shelter and breeding.

Sadly, seahorse populations are in decline due to habitat loss, pollution, coastal development, and fishing activity. Because they are so well camouflaged, they’re also classed as “data deficient” under CITES, meaning there isn’t enough information to fully understand their conservation status.

That’s where Seahorse Cities comes in.

What Are Seahorse Cities?

With support from the FatFace Foundation, this project is designing and testing artificial habitats that provide seahorses with safe, suitable places to live and breed.

There are two main designs being trialled:

  • Design A: Targets the Short-snouted Seahorse. These structures are placed beneath marina pontoons or directly on the seabed, using low-carbon concrete for weight and durability.
  • Design B: Aims to support the Spiny Seahorse by acting as an artificial seagrass bed placed near natural meadows. It encourages natural seagrass growth through small mesh gaps, helping regenerate lost habitat and boost biodiversity.

Beyond supporting seahorses, these structures help improve water quality, capture carbon, and restore seagrass ecosystems – vital natural processes that keep our marine environments healthy.

Hippocampus guttulatus (c) Neil Garrick-Maidment The Seahorse Trust
Long-Snouted Seahorse Hippocampus guttulatus (c) Neil Garrick-Maidment The Seahorse Trust

Early Results

A recent feasibility study with Natural England (2023–24) has already shown exciting results. Seahorses and other marine life, including Ballan Wrasse, have been observed using the structures, and early ecological growth (“fouling”) has transformed them into vibrant micro-habitats for species like the common cockle.

Phase 1 of the project focuses on installations beneath pontoons in Langstone Harbour, including Hayling Island and Eastney. These sites are monitored monthly through SCUBA surveys, snorkelling, drop-down video, and data loggers to track species, behaviour, and environmental conditions such as temperature and UV levels.

Looking Ahead: Phase 2 and Beyond

Phase 2 will expand the project to areas near seagrass beds, exploring key questions such as:

  • Are seagrass shoots growing within the Seahorse Cities?
  • Are seahorses breeding in these new habitats?
  • What other species are colonising the structures?

This next stage will involve further collaboration with local divers, conservationists, and the Marine Management Organisation (MMO) for licensing approval. The long-term goal is to replicate the Seahorse Cities model across the Solent, and potentially beyond.

Community and Education

As part of the project, the Final Straw Foundation is leading on community outreach and education. With the support of FatFace staff and customers, we’re engaging with schools, festivals, and local groups to share what’s happening beneath the surface.

Through talks and workshops, we’re helping people understand:

  • Why seahorses are key indicators of marine health
  • The challenges facing coastal ecosystems
  • How local action can create real conservation change

How You Can Help

This is just the beginning – and your support can make a real difference. You can help by:

  • Donating to support our marine conservation work
  • Volunteering at events and beach cleans
  • Spreading the word about seahorse and seagrass conservation
  • Getting involved with local restoration efforts

Together, we can protect our hidden marine treasures – one Seahorse City at a time.