BRICON Research Project Launch!

Delighted to share that Environmental Hydrodynamics and Coastal Resilience (EHCR) Lab of University College Dublin (UCD) officially kicked off the Marine Institute–funded BRICONS project (Building Resilient Irish Coasts through Oyster Restoration: A Nature-Based Solution for Enhancing Marine Biodiversity and Ecosystems).

This major new €1.5 million biodiversity initiative aims to restore native oyster reefs along the Irish coastline to boost marine biodiversity and strengthen coastal resilience in the face of climate change. Five-year-long BRICONS project brings together an all-island partnership of universities and marine experts. The project will establish multiple pilot restoration sites across Ireland and Northern Ireland to demonstrate how Nature-Based Solutions (NbS) can help stabilise marine ecosystems and protect vulnerable shorelines.

UCD is coordinating this €1.5 million initiative in collaboration with three (03) more fantastic project partners at:

• Atlantic Technological University (ATU)
• Queen’s University Belfast (QUB)
• Trinity College Dublin (TCD)

Together, we’ll restore native oyster reefs and strengthen coastal resilience across Ireland and Northern Ireland.

Our Environmental Hydrodynamics and Coastal Resilience (EHCR) Lab at UCD is leading the climate change and hydrodynamic modelling components of BRICONS. Our work will help uncover how oyster reef restoration can enhance ecosystem resilience, support biodiversity, and mitigate coastal impacts in a changing climate.

Huge thanks to the Marine Institute for funding this important research, and sincere appreciation to all project partners for their collaboration and enthusiasm as we begin this exciting journey.