London Mayor Sadiq Khan has unveiled plans that could see oysters and otters return to the River Thames as part of a 10-year project to clean up the waterway
London Mayor Sadiq Khan has unveiled a 10-year plan to reintroduce oysters and otters to the River Thames, inspired by a similar project in New York.
The American city is currently working on returning a billion oysters to the Hudson River, a move that Khan believes could be replicated in London. Oysters are known for their natural water-filtering abilities and can help protect cities from flooding. “The project literally sees nature clean nature while increasing biodiversity in New York’s waterways”, said Mr Khan, expressing his desire to follow New York’s lead.
Mr Khan also hopes that the reintroduction of species such as otters, water voles, eels, and mayflies to the Thames will have a similar purifying effect. A new London Outdoor Swimming guide has been released by the mayor’s office, highlighting areas where it is safe to swim in the wild and places that could become suitable in the future thanks to the cleaning efforts.
The listed areas include Hampstead Ponds, Highgate Pond, West Reservoir, Royal Docks, Serpentine, Canary Wharf, Beckenham Place and Greenland Dock.
Khan also plans to add Hackney Marshes, Teddington, Roding and Albany Reach to this list. The eastern part of the Thames is set to be the first area where the mayor will “explore and consider the role of oysters”, despite previously telling the London Assembly in 2018 that the river “is too heavily modified, and the tidal flow too strong, to allow for the establishment of oyster beds”, according to the BBC, reports MyLondon.
Responding to a query from London Assembly member Fiona Twycross, Mr Khan remarked: “Although oysters were once a cheap and plentiful food source for Londoners, they were primarily sourced from oyster beds along the Thames estuary in Kent and Essex. These beds declined as the estuary became polluted.”
Yet, Mr Khan is keen on utilising oysters as a cleaning agent in the river rather than a culinary delight. He stated: “We have done so much to clean up our air. Now we have a once-in-a-generation opportunity to restore our capital’s waterways as we continue to see a return of dozens of species, like here in New York. This will enable Londoners to connect with nature as we continue to build a greener London for everyone.”
The Mayor shared with MyLondon his vision for a River Thames where people can paddle and kayak, though he acknowledged that he lacks the authority to purify the city’s waterways on his own. When questioned about whether he’d take a swim in the Thames after it’s cleaned, Mr Khan said: “I’ll come back to you on that.”
