Across Europe and globally, efforts to restore coastal and marine ecosystems are gaining momentum. A key contributor to this work is the Native Oyster Restoration Alliance (NORA), a network dedicated to the protection and ecological restoration of the native European flat oyster, Ostrea edulis. Through collaboration with practitioners, researchers, policymakers, and restoration networks, NORA is advancing the science and practice of oyster reef restoration and marine restoration across European seas.
SER-Europe is proud to collaborate with NORA through several initiatives focused on strengthening marine ecosystem restoration, including contributions to the European Marine Restoration Working Group (eMRWG), the Marine Ecosystem Restoration Guidelines for European Seas (MERGES), and the adaptation of the SER Ecological Recovery Wheel for marine ecosystems. Together, these efforts support more coordinated, standards-based restoration approaches across Europe’s coastal and marine environments.
About the Native Oyster Restoration Alliance
The Native Oyster Restoration Alliance (NORA) is a European network established in 2017 following an international workshop on oyster restoration held in Berlin. The alliance brings together representatives from governmental agencies, research institutions, non-governmental organisations, oyster growers, and private enterprises with a shared goal: the restoration and recovery of the native European flat oyster (Ostrea edulis).
Historically, European flat oysters were widespread across many European seas, including the Mediterranean and North Sea. Over time, however, populations have declined dramatically due to overexploitation, habitat degradation, and other human pressures. As a result, many native oyster reefs have been severely reduced or extirpated across European marine waters.
Native oyster reefs are important nearshore and offshore marine habitats. Where they persist, they support high levels of biodiversity and contribute to ecosystem productivity. These reefs also provide a range of ecosystem services that extend beyond the reef itself, including habitat provision, improved water quality, and support for coastal food webs.
Flat oyster (Ostrea edulis) in the Brest harbor. Photo by Olivier Dugornay, CC BY 4.0 via Wikimedia Commons.
A Hub for Knowledge Exchange and Collaboration
Since its establishment, NORA has developed into a central hub for knowledge exchange within the European oyster and marine restoration community. The alliance facilitates collaboration amongst stakeholders by supporting information sharing on topics such as oyster biology, restoration methodologies, oyster production, monitoring approaches, disease management, funding opportunities, and regulatory frameworks.
NORA’s activities include:
- Cooperation and network building: Bringing together researchers, NGOs, industry representatives, oyster growers, and government institutions to support the restoration and protection of flat oyster reefs.
- Knowledge exchange and community building: Organising conferences, workshops, and working groups focused on advancing restoration practice and strengthening collaboration across projects.
- Knowledge management and infrastructure: Maintaining an extensive database of oyster restoration projects and experts, enabling practitioners to connect, exchange experience, and identify partners or resources needed to support restoration efforts.
- Knowledge transfer, communication, and outreach: Developing publications, technical guidance, and outreach material that support practitioners, policymakers, and the broader restoration community.
Ecological restoration of the European flat oyster (Ostrea edulis) in the Bay of Brest. Photo by Stéphane Pouvreau, CC BY 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons.
Collaboration with SER-Europe
NORA is an active contributor to the European Marine Restoration Working Group (eMRWG), helping advance the science, practice, and policy of marine restoration in Europe. Within this framework, NORA contributes directly to the development of the Marine Ecosystem Restoration Guidelines for European Seas (MERGES). These guidelines, launching in early July 2026, aim to support practitioners and policymakers by providing practical recommendations and frameworks for restoring marine ecosystems across European waters.
NORA is also contributing to the adaptation of the SER Ecological Recovery Wheel (ERW) for marine ecosystems, due to be published in June 2026. This work is part of the eMRWG Task Force 2, which is adapting the five-star system to be readily usable by marine ecosystem restoration practitioners in Europe and in temperate zones. This work represents an important step towards developing common frameworks for assessing ecological recovery across different marine restoration projects.
SER-Europe and NORA also collaborate through knowledge exchange and events that bring together marine restoration experts and networks across Europe and globally.
SER’s Ecological Recovery Wheel (ERW) is a tool for conveying progress of recovery of ecosystem attributes (species composition, structural diversity, ecosystem function, external exchanges, absence of threats, and physical conditions) compared to those of a reference ecosystem. Learn more here.
At the 11th World Conference on Ecological Restoration (SER2025) in Denver, USA, and the NORA6 conference in Cartagena, Spain, SER-Europe hosted sessions exploring collaboration across marine restoration initiatives. Representatives from NORA, the European Seagrass Restoration Alliance (ESRA), the World Seagrass Association, the Kelp Forest Alliance, the Global Mangrove Alliance and Mangrove Action Project, and the Native Oyster Network highlighted the importance of strengthening coordination across marine habitats and restoration efforts.
Building on these sessions, SER-Europe, NORA, ESRA, Sea Ranger Service (SRS) and the Endangered Landscapes & Seascapes Programme (ELSP) are organising a “Seascape” special session at the 15th European Conference on Ecological Restoration (SERE2026) in Brest, France. This session, taking place on 27 August 2026, will bring together restoration alliances and philanthropists to explore how to close the gap between ambitious European marine restoration policies and real-world implementation by promoting integrated, system-scale restoration across connected seascapes. The session will highlight case studies, governance tools, and workforce models that enable restoration to scale from isolated projects to coordinated, long-term strategies across Europe’s marine ecosystems.
Agglomeration of flat oysters (Ostrea edulis) in Brest. Photo by Olivier Dugornay, CC BY 4.0.
Looking Ahead
As interest in marine restoration continues to grow across Europe and globally, partnerships such as the collaboration between SER-Europe and NORA play an important role in strengthening coordination, sharing knowledge, and advancing restoration practice. By connecting restoration practitioners, researchers, policymakers, and industry partners, NORA continues to support the development of effective restoration approaches that can help rebuild oyster reef ecosystems and contribute to the recovery of Europe’s marine ecosystems.
To learn more about NORA’s work, visit: noraeurope.eu
Learn more about the SER-Europe MRWG here: ser-europe.org/mrwg