Deep Sea World

Deep Sea World is not the only home to marine life. The Firth of Forth is teeming with wildlife which has evolved to adapt to changing conditions and supplied herring to the fishermen and a staple food to the villagers.

In the past, the Firth of Forth also had native oyster beds covering an area the size of modern-day Edinburgh. We tend to think of oysters as a luxury food, but back then, they were a cheap and plentiful source of food and the oyster fisheries boomed.

However, by 1900, overfishing and pollution from industrialisation signalled the end of herring and native oyster stocks. This affected more than people’s livelihoods. Native oysters act as natural water filters, and their reefs offer shelter for other marine species. That’s why the Restoration Forth Project is so important. Working with local partners, the project aims to restore sea grass and oyster reef habitats in the Firth of Forth. You can get involved by carrying out your own Oyster Observer Survey on a local beach.

Deep Sea World is also playing its part in marine conservation. Their Amazon display is filled with fish that have outgrown their domestic tanks. The aquarium supports the Big Fish campaign to encourage retailers to sell larger fish responsibly. They also work internationally to improve the conservation status of sharks, skates and rays through policy change and collective action.