The Blackwater Estuary in Essex is home to an important population of native oysters. Essex Wildlife Trust's Living Seas Officer, Sarah Allison, has been working with Essex University students and the Blackwater Oystermen to research the native oyster population and the Estuary habitat that they rely on.

The evidence gathered from surveying the Estuary feeds directly back into the conservation and management of the area, which is designated as a Marine Conservation Zone for the native oyster and the oyster beds. This short video, produced by Essex University, explains how: