MJM Supports ZSL’s Groundbreaking North Sea Oyster Reef Restoration

Marshall Jakeman Marine has proudly supported a major marine conservation effort in partnership with the Zoological Society of London (ZSL), providing vessel and offshore support for the deployment of 20 custom-built reef cubes designed to restore native oyster reefs in the North Sea.

The initiative, covered by The Independent and featured across ZSL’s LinkedIn and TikTok channels, saw six-tonne marine-grade concrete blocks carefully positioned 1.8km off the Tyne and Wear coastline to create a stable habitat for more than 4,000 native oysters.

Working in collaboration with SAND Geophysics, who provided remote survey positioning support, MJM Enterprise helped ensure accurate and secure deployment of the structures in line with tidal and environmental conditions.

This project forms part of the wider Stronger Shores programme; a five-year initiative led by South Tyneside Council and supported by the Environment Department to drive innovation in coastal resilience and habitat restoration.

Chris Jakeman, Director of Marshall Jakeman Marine, said:

“It’s been a privilege to contribute to such a meaningful and forward-thinking project. Restoring oyster reefs doesn’t just bring back a lost species, it creates a foundation for entire ecosystems to recover. Supporting ZSL and Groundwork in making that possible is something we’re incredibly proud of. Projects like this are exactly why we do what we do.”

The reef cubes, crafted from a seawater-resistant concrete alternative called Marine Crete, have been specifically engineered with ridges, portholes and structural features that mimic natural reef surfaces. Their design will help oysters establish themselves while encouraging other marine life to return.

Native oysters once thrived in these waters but have declined by more than 95% since the 1800s due to overfishing, pollution and habitat loss. This deployment marks a significant step toward reversing that decline and building climate-resilient coastal ecosystems.

The MJM team were on site to oversee the mobilisation and deployment using our high-capacity A-frame and deck handling systems.

This collaboration highlights the unique strengths MJM offers: agile vessel solutions, a dedicated and experienced crew, and a deep commitment to the marine environment.

A heartfelt thanks to ZSL, SAND Geophysics, and all the partners and volunteers involved, we’re honoured to have played a part in bringing this project to life.

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