Ocean Exchange hosts this event to recognize and help advance innovation in technologies aimed at the health of our oceans and the Blue Economy.

Oyster Heaven Won the $100,000 USD Neptune Award, given to solutions that advance our understanding of the ocean and help minimize our impact on these resources, even while using them for human benefit, resulting in more resilient bodies of water. 

As part of the Zeeland in Stroomversnelling subsidy from the Province of Zeeland, Oyster Heaven submitted a proposal last year for a demonstration project. This program funds projects that innovatively strengthen Zeeland’s sectors. In partnership with Stichting Zeeschelp, HZ University of Applied Sciences, and Palinghandel Van de Kreeke, Oyster Heaven proposed a project to develop an oyster reef in the Veere Meer. The project’s goal is to create the ‘Mother Reef’ substrate, enabling natural oyster restoration in Zeeland and providing ecological and economic benefits (fishing and aquaculture).

We are pleased to have been awarded a subsidy of €199,040 to develop the project and assess its impact on oyster populations in Zeeland.

Oyster Heaven received two prizes from the crQlr Awards 2023 in Tokyo and Barcelona:

Earthwide Restoration Prize

“The project’s impact extends beyond environmental rejuvenation. It plays a pivotal role in supporting coastal communities and fishermen, who are integral to its implementation. By involving these communities in planting and monitoring the reefs, the project not only provides new jobs but also contributes to preserving traditional livelihoods. This approach fosters a deep connection between people and their marine environment, encouraging stewardship and sustainable practices.” –  Judge Hiroshi Irie

The Ocean Restoration Award

By creating a new, biodegradable artificial reef substrate, “The Mother Reef” offers a scalable and cost-effective solution for oyster reef regeneration. Its design, leveraging widely available materials like clay, is both innovative and practical, enabling large-scale restoration efforts.
The project’s impact extends beyond environmental rejuvenation. It plays a pivotal role in supporting coastal communities and fishermen, who are integral to its implementation. By involving these communities in planting and monitoring the reefs, the project not only provides new jobs but also contributes to preserving traditional livelihoods. This approach fosters a deep connection between people and their marine environment, encouraging stewardship and sustainable practices. – Judge David Tena Vicente