Gavin & Stacey star Joanna Page is on a mission to reintroduce four million oysters to the Norfolk coast.
The beloved actress, 47, has teamed up with pet care brand Purina and Oyster Heaven to support a major restoration project aiming to reintroduce four million native oysters by 2026.
A lifelong sea lover and recent surfing convert, Joanna visited the coastal site to witness the nurturing of juvenile oysters, known as “spats”, before their release into the wild.
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She said: “As a mum, a dog owner and someone who loves the sea, I was really moved by the scale and ambition of this project.
“Seeing the baby oysters being prepared for their new home was incredible.
“It’s easy to forget how much life depends on healthy seas and oceans, and I’m proud to support a campaign that’s not only helping marine biodiversity but also showing how businesses can make a real difference.”
Oysters once thrived along the Norfolk coastline but have largely disappeared from UK waters over the last century.
Now, Oyster Heaven is preparing to deploy 40,000 specially designed clay ‘Mother Reefs’ which are each pre-loaded with more than 100 spats to create a new self-sustaining ecosystem, reports Need To Know.
The reefs will improve water quality, provide vital habitats for marine life, and help restore balance to the ocean.
George Birch, founder of Oyster Heaven, explained: “Each Mother Reef is pre-charged with baby oysters in a controlled environment to ensure their survival and growth.
“Once placed on the seafloor, they provide the foundation for the whole ecosystem, generating an oasis of life underwater.”
The project is being backed by Purina, who use fish by-products in their pet food to reduce waste and support sustainability.
Kerstin Schmeiduch, Director of Sustainability at Purina Europe, added: “We are thrilled to be working with Oyster Heaven, marking an important step towards improving marine restoration along the Norfolk coastline and a first for Purina in the UK.”
Purina has also pledged to help restore 1,500 hectares of marine habitat across Europe by 2030, with restoration efforts already underway in France, the Netherlands, Norway and Portugal.
