WHISKY bosses are toasting a trio of awards for work to restore native oysters to Highland waters.
Glenmorangie is working with Heriot-Watt University and the Marine Conservation Society in a pioneering project to return oyster reefs to the Dornoch Firth – about 100 years since they were wiped out by overfishing.
Now in its fifth year, the Dornoch Environmental Enhancement Project (DEEP) used archaeological records and ancient literature to prove that oysters were present in the waterway up to 10,000 years ago, and that bringing them back would work.
Some 300 of the molluscs were taken from the wild population in Loch Ryan and transferred to two monitored sites in the Firth.
Researchers now aim to create an established reef within five years. It is hoped the species could help filter some of the organic material released by the distillery within a decade, and that the scheme will allow the creation of squatting ponds, used in the growth of juvenile oysters.
Organisers believe this could both ensure the viability of the reintroduced species and “invigorate small rural oyster businesses”, also creating a blueprint that can be recreated around the world to boost biodiversity.
Work is under way to begin the scheme’s second phase after it won three awards this month. They include accolades from the Scottish Environment Business Awards, the Walpole British Luxury Awards and the RSPB’s Nature of Scotland Awards.
Dr Peter Nelson, of The Glenmorangie Company, said: “We’re delighted that our vision of protecting and sustaining the fragile beauty of Glenmorangie’s Highland surroundings has been celebrated by those who champion the environment.
“We hope these awards will further raise the profile of DEEP, as we and our partners dedicate efforts to the next stage.”
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