Australian students went scuba diving to rebuild an oyster reef

Ostrea angasi. Image Credit: Wikipedia Australian high school students have taken part in an underwater experiment aimed at bringing native oyster reefs back to Coffin Bay in South Australia. After receiving SCUBA training, the students helped place 28 restoration units across different sites in the bay. The structures were made from old oyster shells inside mesh crates, creating a base where young oysters and other marine organisms could settle. When researchers returned three months later, every unit had attracted oysters, while hundreds of other marine organisms had also colonised the structures, according to a 2026 study published in People and Nature.Australian students learned scuba diving to rebuild the oyster reefThe project brought local teenagers directly into marine restoration rather than keeping the research work on land. The study involved 10 students aged about 15 to 17 from 2 regional high schools, who worked with diving professionals to prepare and deploy the experiment.Before entering the water, the students completed SCUBA training and received PADI Open Water Diver certification. The training was provided without cost to their families through funding from an En...