ENVIRONMENT
AN UNLIKELY HERO
What was found at the bottom of Clevedon Marine Lake, taking small steps to clean up our beaches, and the unsung hero species purifying sea water: Jo Tinsley reports on the things that matter to us as swimmers
Not all heroes wear capes. Quietly filtering pollutants, capturing carbon and protecting the habitats that marine life depends on, native oysters are a real unsung hero. These modest molluscs can build complex reef structures, underwater cities that shelter fish and crustaceans, which offer more than a home for marine species, they also act as natural coastal defences, softening the blow of waves and helping to prevent erosion.