# Britain drops giant concrete cubes to revive native oysters

2026-08-09T05:32:27+00:00 | World & Diplomacy | Indian Opinion Desk

Corroboration: 1 independent outlet

Britain has lowered 20 specially designed reef cubes into the North Sea to restore the population of native oysters, which have declined by over 95% since the 1800s. The 2025 operation combined the cubes with 4,000 mature oysters, more than 35,000 juveniles and about 44 US tons of recycled scallop shells. Each cube weighs 6.6 US tons and is made from a carbon-neutral marine concrete, with ridges and openings to provide attachment surfaces for oysters and shelter for other marine life. The heavy cubes are designed to anchor the reef against storms, after a 2023 deployment saw loose material scattered by severe weather.

## Coverage

- timesofindia.indiatimes.com <https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/science/britain-is-dropping-20-concrete-reef-cubes-and-44-tons-of-scallop-shells-into-the-sea-in-the-hope-to-bring-back-its-native-oysters-who-have-reduced-by-95-since-1800s/articleshow/133027146.cms>

Tags: conservation, North Sea, oysters, reef restoration, UK
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