"Most people associate oysters with food, but less well known is that oysters create reef habitats that support coastal marine life," Marine Thomas, conservation project manager at The Nature Conservancy said. The study found that oyster reefs provide habitat and nursery grounds for many native species in Hong Kong that would otherwise have died out. Researchers also found that oyster reefs house six times more species than bare muddy shores. The study also found that restoration of oyster reefs in Hong Kong could be achieved without human intervention. "Shellfish habitats are still severely under-protected in Hong Kong, with very little public awareness of their ecological value.

Source: The Standard December 28, 2020 19:07 UTC