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For immediate release, June 18, 2026. Report highlights the role of shellfish farming in improving UK water quality A new report from Seafish, the public body that supports the UK seafood industry, explores how shellfish farming could help tackle nutrient excess in UK waters while supporting seafood production. Written by Seafish ecosystem services researcher Konstancja Woźniacka, the report, Nutrient Removal by UK Bivalve Aquaculture: Case Studies and Considerations, examines how bivalve aquaculture, including mussels and oysters contribute to nutrient management strategies through their natural filter-feeding processes. The research builds on earlier work published in 2024 and comes at a time of growing interest in nature-based solutions to improve water quality. The 2024 Seafish study estimated that nitrogen removal by the UK shellfish sector in 2019 was worth between £7 million and £16 million when compared with traditional water treatment approaches. Excess nutrients such as nitrogen and phosphorus continue to affect rivers, estuaries and coastal waters across the UK, contributing to eutrophication and placing pressure on ecosystems, industries and coastal communities. Drawing on UK case studies and international expertise, the report analyses how different shellfish species, farming methods and production scales influence nutrient removal, as well as the potential economic value of these environmental benefits. The findings highlight that larger farms, particularly mussel farms, can deliver greater nutrient removal benefits, while maintaining safe, nutritious and marketable seafood products. Konstancja Woźniacka said: “Bivalve aquaculture is not a standalone solution to nutrient pollution, but it has real potential to complement existing approaches while producing sustainable seafood. “What makes this particularly exciting is the combination of low-impact food production with wider environmental benefits, including improved water quality, biodiversity support and habitat recovery.” The report is aimed at shellfish growers, policymakers, regulators, researchers and organisations interested in nutrient management and nature-based solutions. It also outlines the need for standardised methods to measure nutrient removal and practical systems for valuing these ecosystem services in future. To access the full report please visit: Nutrient removal by UK bivalve aquaculture: Case studies and considerations — Seafish ENDS Press office contact: scott.inglis@seafish.co.uk NOTES TO EDITORS About Seafish
Seafish is here to give the UK seafood sectors the support they need to be successful today and be resilient to future change. We’re a non-departmental public body (NDPB) set up by the Fisheries Act 1981. Our sponsors are the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) and the Scottish, Welsh and Northern Irish devolved administrations. We are funded by a levy on the first sale of seafood in the UK. Using our unique, non-competitive position we work in partnership with businesses, governments and scientists to achieve positive impacts for the UK seafood sectors. We are focused on supporting three outcomes for the UK seafood sectors: - A safe and skilled workforce
- Smoother and expanding seafood trade
- A resilient supply chain
Visit our website www.seafish.org or follow us on LinkedIn, Facebook, Instagram and YouTube. Thank you for your interest in this press release, please let us know if you have any further questions and we'll look to get those answered for you ASAP. Please also find attached a selection of photographs free to use with this release only. One picture is of Konstancja Woźniacka with a general bivalve picture also included.
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