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Diploma · 800 h · 8 modules
Diploma in Native Oyster and Shellfish Reef Restoration
The Diploma in Native Oyster and Shellfish Reef Restoration Prepares you to plan the recovery of the European native oyster (Ostrea edulis) and other shellfish reefs, habitats that once covered vast areas of coastal seabed and are
Duration800 h
FormatOnline
Starts23 November
Places20 / 20
Prior knowledge
Prior Knowledge Assessment
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Programme overview
What is the Diploma in Native Oyster and Shellfish Reef Restoration?
The Diploma in Native Oyster and Shellfish Reef Restoration
Prepares you to plan the recovery of the European native oyster (Ostrea edulis) and other shellfish reefs, habitats that once covered vast areas of coastal seabed and are now scarce. You will study the biology of oysters and mussels, the historical causes of their decline, seed production, substrate choice and biosecurity against disease, as well as how to design monitoring for restored reefs.
Key advantages
- A forgotten habitat: Oyster and mussel reefs, among the most depleted coastal habitats.
- From seed to reef: Hatchery production, natural spatfall and substrates.
- Biosecurity: Managing the risk of disease and unwanted species.
- Links with industry: Working alongside aquaculture and shellfisheries.
- Case study: A restoration plan for a specific estuary or bay.
Programme type
Diploma
Study mode
Online
Duration
800 hours
Modules
8
Programme highlights
- Know your bivalves: Understand oyster biology and ecological function.
- Understand the decline: Analyse overexploitation and disease.
- Produce and deploy: Apply hatchery, spat collection and substrates.
- Measure results: Design monitoring of survival and recruitment.
- Broaden your profile: Work in conservation, aquaculture and coastal management.
- Train to restore shellfish reefs and the services they provide to the coast.
Curriculum
Programme Structure
The programme is structured in 8 modules, listed below in order of study.
01
Bivalve Biology and Ecology
- The European native oyster
- Other reef-forming oysters and mussels
- Reproduction and the larval stage
- Settlement and metamorphosis
- Growth and longevity
- Filtration and feeding
- Structure of a shellfish reef
- Associated fauna
02
Ecosystem Services and Historical Decline
- Improving water quality
- Nutrient cycling
- Habitat for fish and invertebrates
- Sediment stabilisation and coastal protection
- A history of oyster exploitation
- Loss of natural beds
- Historical baselines
- Current status in Europe
03
Threats and Diseases
- Overexploitation
- Loss of hard substrate
- Pollution and water quality
- Bonamia and other diseases
- Competing invasive species
- Predators
- Climate change
- Assessing threats in an estuary
04
Seed and Juvenile Production
- Oyster hatcheries
- Broodstock conditioning
- Larval rearing
- Settlement in the hatchery
- Natural spat collection
- Genetic origin of seed
- Transport and deployment
- Production costs and scale
05
Substrates and Reef Design
- Shell cultch
- Artificial structures
- Biodegradable materials
- Relief and orientation
- Site selection
- Hydrodynamics and sedimentation
- Depth and salinity
- Fitting in with navigation and fishing
06
Biosecurity and Regulatory Framework
- Risks of translocation
- Biosecurity protocols
- Health checks on seed
- Unwanted species
- Consents for deployment
- Fisheries and aquaculture regulations
- Protected sites
- Coordination with producers
07
Monitoring and Management
- Designing the monitoring
- Survival and growth
- Natural recruitment
- Reef density and structure
- Associated biodiversity
- Water quality
- Involving shellfishers
- Adaptive management
08
Case Study: Restoration Plan for a Shellfish Reef
- Choosing the estuary or bay
- Historical and current diagnosis
- Threat analysis
- Seed strategy
- Substrate design
- Biosecurity plan
- Monitoring and budget
- Presenting the plan
Workload
Study Time and Workload
800 hours of study, online and at your own pace. Move the slider to the hours a week you can really put in.
Hours a week8
Weeks to finish—
You finish around—
Who it is for
Biologists and marine science graduates: who want to specialise in shellfish restoration Shellfish aquaculture professionals: who want to take part in restoration projects Fisheries and environmental agency staff: who manage natural beds and estuaries Environmental consultants: who design compensation measures in coastal areas NGO staff: who lead conservation projects in estuaries
Faculty
Academic direction and faculty
The teaching team at Navalis: working professionals who deliver and oversee the institute's programmes.
Eng. Diego Cifuentes
Cap. Javier Abaroa (MCA)
Dr. Pau Ferrer
Dr. Nuria Llobregat
Eng. Javier Bañuls
Eng. Sofía Marquina
Eng. Tomás Riera
Verified reviews
Student Reviews
Reviews collected and verified by Opynio, not written by us.
Outcomes
Learning Outcomes
- 01Understand bivalve biology
- 02Value reef services
- 03Analyse the causes of decline
- 04Plan seed production
- 05Apply biosecurity measures
- 06Design monitoring
Careers
Career Opportunities
01Shellfish restoration officer: Designing and delivering projects in estuaries and bays.
02Hatchery technician: Producing seed for restoration.
03Environmental consultant: Compensation measures in coastal areas.
04Shellfishery management officer: Managing natural beds with the industry.
05NGO project coordinator: Restoration programmes with local stakeholders.
06Ecological monitoring officer: Evaluating restored reefs.
Questions
Entry Requirements
Because it is a habitat-forming species that has lost much of its historical range in Europe and is the focus of many recovery projects.
Yes. Mussel reefs and other oyster species are also covered.
Because moving seed between areas can spread diseases such as bonamiosis, or unwanted species.
Yes. The programme links shellfish production with restoration goals.
A restoration plan for an estuary or bay, covering seed, substrate, biosecurity and monitoring.
100% online, with a virtual campus available 24/7, live sessions that are recorded, and tutorials with the teaching staff.
The programme involves 800 hours of study. You can work at your own pace within the timetable we give you when you enrol.
Each programme has its own start date, shown on this page and confirmed by our admissions team when you enquire.
On completing the programme you receive the Diploma in Native Oyster and Shellfish Reef Restoration qualification awarded by Navalis Magna Institute.
Online admissions
Admissions Process
No waiting for a phone call. If your documents are complete, you can pay in the same session.
Entry requirements
Entry profile: A degree in biology, marine science, environmental science, agricultural science or a related field; or professional experience in aquaculture or marine conservation. Language: A good working level of English to follow classes and materials. Technical requirements: A computer with a stable internet connection, an up-to-date browser and a webcam for live sessions and project presentations. Admissions process: Online application, profile review and a short interview with the academic team. We confirm your start date when you enquire.
Questions?
Frequently Asked Questions
Leave your details and admissions will write back. If you already know this is the one, go straight to the application and pay in the same session.