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From:Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage

Minister for Nature, Heritage and Biodiversity, Christopher O’Sullivan TD, has today (Thursday August 6th) announced €7.9 million in funding to restore and enhance some of Ireland’s most important marine habitats. Over the next five years, the Tralee Bay Marine Biodiversity Restoration Project will involve the restoration of sensitive eelgrass meadows and native oyster beds in County Kerry.

The project is funded and overseen by the National Parks and Wildlife Service (NPWS) and is led by University College Cork working with local partners including Tralee Oyster Society and Tralee Bay Hatchery. The project, which will be based in Tralee Bay Nature Reserve will benefit wider coastal habitats in Co. Kerry, including Páirc Náisiúnta na Mara, Ciarraí, Ireland’s first National Marine Park.

Announcing the new initiative in Co. Kerry, Minister O’Sullivan said:

"Eelgrass meadows and native oyster reefs provide essential habitats for marine wildlife. They also improve water quality, enhance biodiversity, support fisheries and contribute to climate resilience.

“This flagship project represents a significant investment in the future of Ireland's coastal ecosystems. Tralee Bay provides a unique opportunity to restore these fragile habitats of national and international importance, by applying on the ground restoration measures with cutting-edge research. By bringing together research expertise from University College Cork with local partners in the Maharees and Tralee Bay, we can create a model that will inform and inspire similar restoration initiatives in Ireland and beyond.

“Habitat recovery is a key part of our Nature Restoration Plan, and landmark projects like this act as pathfinders for how we do this at scale.”

The Tralee Bay Marine Biodiversity Restoration project integrates scientific research, restoration and community stewardship to support long-term ecosystem recovery and to establish a sustainable and replicable model for coastal restoration. A central element of the project will be community engagement, with a range of initiatives designed to increase public awareness, foster local stewardship and strengthen community participation in coastal conservation.

Professor Sarah Culloty, Principal Investigator, University College Cork said:

“The Tralee Bay Marine Biodiversity Restoration Project represents a unique opportunity to restore two of Ireland's most important marine habitats, native oyster reefs and eelgrass meadows, within one of the country's most ecologically significant coastal systems. By bringing together researchers, fishermen, conservation agencies, and local communities, we are creating a living laboratory for nature restoration that will deliver benefits for biodiversity, water quality, climate resilience, and sustainable coastal livelihoods. Tralee Bay has the potential to become a national and international exemplar of how science, conservation, and community stewardship can work together to restore our marine environment for future generations.”

Niall O’Donnchú, Director General of the National Parks and Wildlife Service said:

"Eelgrass meadows and native oyster beds are among the most valuable habitats found in our coastal waters. This project will help accelerate their recovery while providing important scientific knowledge and best practice guidance for future restoration programmes."

Philip Buckley, Divisional Manager with the National Parks and Wildlife Service said:

“The protection of biodiversity, including marine biodiversity around the Dingle Peninsula has been a key aim of Páirc Náisiúnta na Mara, Ciarraí since its establishment. By working together with the local community, this project will deliver benefits to our valuable marine habitats in Kerry, and also to local fishing communities around the Páirc.”

Professor John Cryan, Vice President for Research and Innovation, University College Cork said:

“As a university ranked among the world's leading institutions for sustainability, UCC is proud to lead transformative research that delivers real-world solutions to some of the most pressing environmental challenges of our time. The Tralee Bay Marine Biodiversity Restoration Project combines cutting-edge science with practical restoration to enhance marine biodiversity, support sustainable economic activity, and contribute to Ireland's climate and nature goals.”

"Lasting conservation success depends on people as much as habitats. By working closely with local communities, schools, businesses and stakeholders, we hope to create a lasting legacy of awareness, participation and pride in these remarkable coastal environments."

The 5-year project is expected to commence in August 2026 and will run until 2031.

The Tralee Bay Marine Biodiversity Restoration Projectis a project funded and directed by NPWS, involving a consortium of University College Cork (UCC), Tralee Oyster Society and Tralee Hatchery. The project has been awarded €7.9 million in grant funding from the National Parks and Wildlife Service (NPWS) over 5 years.

Tralee Bay, Co. Kerry is adjacent to Páirc Náisiunta na Mara, Ciarraí and is a Statutory Nature Reserve, a designated Special Area of Conservation (SAC) and Special Protection Area (SPA).