Meet the Purifier aka the native oyster
Is it a bird? It is a plane? No, it's The Purifier otherwise known as the native oyster. An unsung local ocean hero. But they need your support!
Not all heroes wear capes
Native oysters might seem simple but theres a lot to this local species. They’re small, unsung and secretly super. Though they don’t wear capes or masks, native oysters are considered hero species because of the critical role they play in maintaining a healthy and balanced marine ecosystem.
Never fear, the Purifier is here!
As filter feeders, oysters eat by sucking in water. Their gills act as a sieve, trapping food particles, before pumping out water that’s cleaner than when it went in. It’s not just food they remove, but pollutants such as chemicals, bacteria and excess nutrients. One oyster can filter up to 200 litres of water a day, and in doing so, improves water quality, prevents harmful algal blooms and boosts biodiversity, helping to tackle the rising threat of ocean pollution.
Credit: Paul Naylor
Even the most steadfast heroes have their limits.
You can be a hero too!
By supporting our latest League of Unlikely Ocean Heroes appeal, you can help a baby oyster take on a colossal task: protect our ocean, one shell at a time. Whether you choose to grow a dozen baby oysters for £9.72, or support 100 for £81, your gift will help native oysters bring health back to our seas.
Support an unlikely ocean hero!
Our Atlantic Coast
Our oyster restoration work marks the beginning of an ambitious new chapter: Our Atlantic Coast Programme. This initiative aims to restore the UK’s western coastline by regenerating populations of key hero species - native oysters, seagrass, blue mussels, and kelp - that once shaped thriving marine environments.
By bringing these species back, we’re not just rebuilding habitats or restoring populations. We’re helping to tackle climate change, purify coastal waters, protect marine biodiversity and drive long-term ocean recovery.