Operation Oyster is a seabed restoration project that aims as a first step to gather baseline data on the locations of the rare native oyster (Ostrea edulis) and its non-native cousins from around the UK. We need you and your club to get involved!

It can be as simple as making every dive an Operation Oyster dive by looking out for these elusive creatures on your favourite wreck, reef or shore dive sites and even the beach or shoreline over the summer.

Photographic oyster identification guideFind out more about Operation Oyster

Please fill in the form below to record your sightings of UK native oysters. If your sighting was as part of a group, please select one person to submit your findings.

All fields marked with * are required.

Your details

Please select one person to record your oyster findings who will be the point of contact should we need to verify a record or find out more.

Record time and location

We recommend you leave at least one grid reference record. What3words can be easily determined with your smartphone from the website.

(DD/MM/YY)

(24hr clock) eg 16:34

(site name/nearest town)

Please provide at least one grid reference record.

(Degree,minutes,decimal)

(Degree,minutes,decimal)

Please provide at least one grid reference record. e.g. SD546707

Oyster details
Were native oysters or shells found?

If yes, please complete the rest of the form. If no, proceed to verification.

Number of live native oysters seen during search
Number of native oyster shells found during search
Were the native oyster shells whole or broken up?
Depth range that native oysters (live or shells) were found

Live native oysters are typically expected to be found between 0m (on the surface) and 80m of water depth.

e.g. 10-12m

e.g. 10-14cm

Seabed or shore type (select all that apply)
What are the native oysters attached to (select all that apply)
Angle of surface to which they are mounted (select all that apply)
Other species of interest present
Supporting information

We are particularly keen to get images of live oysters underwater with something to help size them and confirm depth.

For example...

Native oyster next to a rulerOyster next to computerOyster next to a handNative oyster with rulerOyster next to torch

(e.g. other species of interest nearby, additional supporting information)

Verification

Please click the box to indicate you are a human rather than an automated system completing this form.

Last step

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