We often talk about the importance of doing something meaningful and real for the environment rather than just discussing it. This project is exactly that.

Back in 2023, when we started our oyster projects in Dublin Bay, the idea was simple but ambitious: bring native Irish oysters back to waters where they once thrived.

After strong survival and growth rates in and the scaling up of our Dún Laoghaire project we felt ready to take the next step. That next step is Greystones Harbour Marina — our first pilot site in County Wicklow.

Why Native Oysters?

It might sound small, but native oysters are absolute powerhouses.

Each one can filter up to 190 litres of water a day. That means cleaner water, fewer excess nutrients, and better conditions for marine life. As oyster beds establish, they help encourage the growth of seagrass and seaweed — which provide nursery grounds for fish and act as carbon sinks.

In other words, oysters quietly improve biodiversity, water quality and climate resilience all at once. They’re natural climate champions.

To make sure we’re doing this properly, researchers from the Dublin City University Water Unit, under Professor Fiona Regan, are monitoring oyster health, water quality and biodiversity at each site. This is restoration grounded in science, not guesswork.

Installing the Greystones Pilot

We installed the Greystones pilot project in November 2025 using “oyster gardening” techniques — suspending oysters in protective baskets from marina walkways so we can monitor their development closely.

We deliberately waited a couple of months before holding a launch event. February isn’t exactly ideal for outdoor gatherings in Ireland, but we wanted to give the oysters time to bed in so that introducing them to the Greystones community would feel like a more relaxed affair — for them and for us.

So we chose Friday, February 13th. Unlucky for some.

A Launch in True Irish Style

Planning any outdoor event in Ireland is always a gamble, even more so in February. In the days leading up to the launch, the forecast swung wildly from bright sunshine to heavy showers. As the day approached, it looked like we would be caught in the middle of what felt like a never-ending Atlantic storm.

With sponsors confirmed, press and community invited, local dignitaries attending and a fantastic group of secondary school students from Templecarrig joining us, cancelling wasn’t really an option.

On the day, waves were crashing dramatically over the harbour wall — but somehow, incredibly, the rain held off for the two-hour launch window. Around 60 to 70 people turned up, wrapped up against the wind but full of enthusiasm. They wanted to learn about native Irish oysters, how they work, and what they could mean for Greystones.

The atmosphere was genuinely uplifting. Several people commented on the positive energy and sense of possibility in the crowd. It was one of those moments where you’re reminded how powerful community support can be when people rally behind a project that is trying to solve a real environmental problem.

What This Means

Greystones was once a rich breeding ground for native oysters. This pilot phase will tell us whether those conditions can support a self-sustaining population again.

If successful, it won’t just mean more oysters. It means cleaner water, stronger biodiversity, and a healthier marine ecosystem along the Wicklow coast.

For us at Green Ocean Coffee, this is what it’s all about. Every bag of coffee contributes to projects like this — practical, measurable restoration happening right here in Ireland.

It’s early days for the Greystones oysters. But standing on that harbour wall in the middle of an Atlantic storm, surrounded by people who care deeply about their coastline, it felt like something important had begun.

And that’s worth braving the February weather for.

Friday, November 7th marked an important milestone for the Green Ocean Dun Laoghaire project and for marine restoration in Ireland. In the early hours of the morning, 18,000 native oysters made their journey from Tralee Bay in County Kerry to their new home in Dun Laoghaire Harbour. Travelling overnight, they arrived at 6am, where a team of more than 30 volunteers, working in four teams and supported by three RIB boats, raced against time to get them safely into the water. By 2pm, every oyster had been carefully placed into its new floating basket along the middle breakwater pier, marking another significant step toward restoring ocean biodiversity in Dublin Bay.

Oysters as Environmental Engineers

Oysters play a vital role in maintaining healthy marine ecosystems. Each oyster can filter up to 190 litres of seawater per day, feeding on plankton and nitrates and resulting in clearer, cleaner water. This clarity allows sunlight to reach the seafloor, encouraging seaweed and seagrass to photosynthesise and flourish, which in turn creates nursery habitats for fish and other marine life. Oysters also help stabilise the seabed by reducing turbidity and providing anchor points for seaweed and seagrass. These natural structures make the ecosystem more resilient to waves and storm surges, strengthening the harbour’s environmental balance.

Building on Phases 1 and 2

As with any project, the early stages were crucial in shaping the path forward. The Phase 1 pilot, launched in 2023 with 450 oysters, provided key insights into the high survival and growth rates of native oysters, along with confirmed reproduction and settlement of larvae on test trays. However, the original basket system proved labour-intensive, as marine growth on the baskets required constant manual cleaning, which limited scalability for larger restoration efforts.

Phase 3 Innovation: Floating Flip Baskets

Following advice from our partners at Bord Iascaigh Mara, we sought to use a floating flip basket system developed in New Zealand. This innovative design allows the baskets to be flipped every number of weeks (depending on the time of year), enabling seabirds to naturally clean away marine build-up, a simple and effective nature-based solution to what had been a major maintenance challenge. The new system reduces manual labour, supports sustainable scaling, and enhances the potential for long-term oyster restoration in Dun Laoghaire Harbour.

Toward an Oyster Reef

Native European flat oysters spawn when water temperatures reach around 15 degrees Celsius, typically in July or August. Each female can release up to 1.5 million fertilised larvae, which float for about ten days before settling on a suitable surface. Because these oysters prefer to attach to other oyster shells, they will not dominate local marine life. To encourage natural settlement, shell substrate will be spread near the floating baskets in April or May 2026, helping to lay the groundwork for a thriving oyster reef in Dun Laoghaire Harbour and contributing to broader native oyster restoration across Ireland’s coastline.

A Scientific Roadmap

Measuring environmental impact is a critical part of this project. Professor Fiona Regan and her team at Dublin City University’s Water Institute began baseline water quality studies during the summer of 2025. They are tracking key indicators to monitor changes in water clarity, biodiversity, and ecosystem health over time. This ongoing research will provide valuable data on how oyster restoration influences marine water quality and habitat regeneration, with results shared publicly as the project develops.

A Shared Source of Joy

While November 7th was not especially cold, it was relentlessly wet; yet the mood on the pier remained upbeat and determined. Volunteers from Goodbody Stockbrokers, Matheson LLP, Jenkinson Logistics, Vagabond Tours, and the scientific team from DCU all joined forces, working side by side toward a shared goal. Despite the rain, the atmosphere was filled with energy, teamwork, and positivity. Witnessing this collaboration, and being part of it, was deeply uplifting. It was a reminder of what can be achieved when people come together to protect and restore the natural world. It truly was a life-enhancing and magical experience.

If you would like to learn more or get involved, please contact us at info@greenoceanfoundation.ie

These oysters are more than just shellfish – they are ecosystem engineers. Capable of filtering algae and nutrients from the water, they will collectively purify an estimated 1.4 billion litres of seawater annually. In doing so, they will enhance water quality and foster an environment that supports greater marine biodiversity.

For those unfamiliar with the site, the installation will take place along a public pier known locally as Dún Laoghaire Marine Pier. The area is easily accessible via the passage between the Dún Laoghaire Marina office and the former ferry terminal.

As in previous phases, we are using European flat oysters (Ostrea edulis), affectionately referred to as Native Irish Oysters. These oysters are indigenous to Ireland and much of Northern Europe. Sourced responsibly from Tralee Bay, the transfer to Dublin is under the expert oversight of the Marine Institute to ensure biosecurity and sustainability.

This phase introduces a new system of floating baskets – distinct from the earlier submerged baskets used in previous deployments, which were suspended around 500mm below the surface. The floating baskets are interconnected and designed to be flipped periodically, allowing seabirds to feed on invasive organisms like sea squirts (including the charmingly named Didemnum vexillum, or “sea vomit”) that might otherwise clog the system. Cleaner baskets ensure optimal water flow, enabling the oysters to feed and thrive.

Originating from New Zealand, this innovative method reduces the need for manual handling and heavy lifting. It offers a scalable, low-impact approach that will enable us to grow the project with greater efficiency and less labour intensity. Basket installation is scheduled for September 2025.

In parallel, we are collaborating with the DCU Water Institute, under the guidance of Dr Fiona Regan. Baseline monitoring of water quality and biodiversity will commence in June/July 2025 and continue over the coming years. Dr Regan’s team will monitor key indicators such as salinity, dissolved oxygen, pH, turbidity, nutrient levels, and the presence of heavy metals and other contaminants. They will also track harmful algal blooms, bacterial counts (e.g. E. coli), and benthic biodiversity.

This scientific component is vital to measuring the ecological impact of our work and will provide the data needed to forecast the long-term benefits of oyster restoration in Dublin Bay. We are deeply grateful to Enterprise Ireland for supporting this critical research effort.

The oysters will be transported from Kerry and placed into their new habitat in October 2025. Over the following eight months, they will acclimate and grow in preparation for spawning in July/August 2026. As European flat oyster larvae (spat) prefer to settle on existing oysters or broken shell, we will prepare the seabed by laying a layer of shell substrate, known as cultch, beneath the floating baskets. This step is essential for encouraging the development of a biogenic reef – the first of its kind in Dublin Bay in nearly two centuries.

We are incredibly proud to be part of this transformative project. Through the Green Ocean Foundation, we have partnered with a number of generous supporters, including Goodbody Stockbrokers, Jenkinson Logistics, Farmhand Agricultural Equipment Distributors, Matheson LLP, Community Finance Ireland, and Watermark Coffee.

Green Ocean Foundation CLG is the not-for-profit organisation managing this initiative. If your business would like to get involved, we would be delighted to hear from you. Alternatively, you can support our work directly by purchasing Green Ocean Coffee – each kilogram sold contributes €1 towards our ongoing marine restoration efforts.

Together, we are working to restore a vital piece of Ireland’s natural heritage and ensure a cleaner, more biodiverse future for Dublin Bay.

Celebrating Wins for Green Ocean Coffee

We were honoured to receive not one, but two awards at the 2025 Guaranteed Irish Business Awards in the Mansion House — Sustainability Champion and Irish Food & Beverage Supplier of the Year. These accolades are a proud moment for our team and a testament to the collective impact of everyday sustainable choices, made local and community-first.

As awareness of Green Ocean Coffee continues to grow, so too does interest and support. We’ve seen a steady increase in coffee sales — each cup contributing directly to real-world ocean restoration.

While the Green Ocean Foundation leads the restoration work, Watermark Coffee remains its biggest supporter — providing funding from coffee sales, along with time, energy, and resources. We’re also excited to welcome four new business sponsors who have recently come on board to support upcoming restoration projects. The ripple effect is growing!

Community Engagement That Inspires

Over the past few months, we’ve deepened our community connections in meaningful ways. From presenting at a Climate Conference for 500 Transition Year students in Co. Wicklow (hosted by Codling Wind Farm), to expanding our engagement with third-level institutions like Trinity College, DCU, UCD, and Dundalk Institute of Technology.

But one standout moment? A visit to 4th Class at St. Brigid’s BNS in Killester, where we were welcomed by the wonderfully enthusiastic principal, Yvonne Emerson. The energy and curiosity of the students reminded us exactly why this work matters. It’s these moments — full of questions, wonder, and hope — that keep us pushing forward with purpose.

Dublin Bay – Phase 2 Update

Since relocating our oysters from Tralee to Dublin Bay in October, Marguerite and I have made several visits to check on their progress. The good news? The oyster gardens are settling in well. Growth has been modest, which is expected at this early stage, but things are looking positive as they continue to adapt to their new home.

What’s Next for Green Ocean?

We’re preparing for a significant expansion in the coming months — the installation of 16,000 to 18,000 oysters in Dun Laoghaire Harbour. This ambitious step marks the beginning of our efforts to create a living biogenic reef along the breakwater walls, boosting biodiversity and improving water quality. We’ll be sharing more updates on this as plans solidify.

Later this year, we’ll also be launching a pilot project in Greystones Marina — a key step in testing and verifying the approach in a new location with its own unique challenges.

If you love what we’re doing — or if you’re a business interested in being part of something that delivers real, measurable environmental impact — we’d love to hear from you.

Together, small actions can create big change.

We filmed the piece in 4 locations (our garage at home, Dun Laoghaire Marina, Fenit Pier, Co Kerry and Howth Yacht Club).  Early one October morning we assembled in Tralee Bay Oyster Co-op alongside the Ear to the Ground presenter, Ella McSweeney, the manager of the Co-Op, Denis O’Shea, Paula and the Ear to the Ground production team, Marguerite and myself.  We were there to explain why we were in Tralee, what biosecurity involved and what we hope to achieve with the Green Ocean project.  After much oyster scrubbing, 3 days of depuration in artificial sea water tanks to further clean the oysters on the inside, we brought the oysters to Howth Yacht Club where we were helped by Aideen, Kevin of Howth Yacht Club and their team of members to deploy the oysters in their new Dublin homes.

While being involved in the production was a lot of fun, the value of being featured is significant.  The objective of the story is to demonstrate to the viewer that climate action is possible by ordinary people coming together with an idea and driving that idea to a conclusion.  To many people, the ocean is a bit on an enigma, its blue, its cold, fish come from it, but that its.  I hope that our opportunity to tell the Green Ocean story will inform the viewer on how important our coastal seas are in counteracting climate change while also improving marine biodiversity and the health and livelihoods for communities living around the coast.  But the main message is…our oysters are Climate Heroes!

I am really confident that our project will bring about our desire to see the native Irish oyster re-established in more Irish coastal waters, but what really gives great satisfaction is knowing that our story will inspire others, both young and old to see the ocean differently and perhaps start a project of their own!

Thank you Paula, Daisy, Ella, Denis, Alan, Nessa, Grace, Aideen, Paola, Kevin, Paal, Michael, Neil and of course, Marguerite for scrubbing those oysters and putting up with it all!

David

Following the success of Phase 1, Phase 2 is now underway, promising to scale up restoration efforts while deepening community engagement and scientific research. This phase is a significant milestone in reversing decades of habitat degradation and reintroducing a keystone species vital to marine ecosystems.

The Importance of Native Oysters in Dublin Bay

Native oysters were once abundant in Dublin Bay, playing a critical role in maintaining the health of the marine environment. These shellfish are natural filter feeders, capable of filtering up to 190 litres of water per day. By doing so, they remove excess nutrients and improve water quality, supporting a diverse range of marine life.

However, overfishing, habitat destruction and pollution led to a sharp decline in native oyster populations. The loss of these ecosystems has had cascading effects on biodiversity, coastal water quality, and the resilience of marine habitats to climate change.

Phase 1 Complete

Phase 1 of the project which commenced in November 2024 in 3 locations around Dublin Bay (Dun Laoghaire, Poolbeg and Malahide) observed consistent oyster growth, low mortality and oyster spawning and reproduction.

David Lawlor who leads the Green Ocean Project says, “Reaching this stage of the project marks a significant milestone in proving that oysters can successfully survive and reproduce in the waters of Dublin Bay. We are now looking ahead with great optimism to expanding the initiative this year and beyond. Our goal is to establish a self-sustaining broodstock of native oysters in Dublin Bay, which will not only enhance biodiversity but also contribute to the development of oyster and seaweed reefs, supporting the recovery of fish stocks and the expansion of seagrass beds which are important in capturing carbon from the atmosphere.”

Phase 2: Scaling Up for Impact

The next phase will see the addition of Howth Yacht Club, The Royal St George Yacht Club and The National Yacht Club as the three new hosts to a combined 60 oyster gardens containing 900 native oysters. 10 additional oyster gardens will be installed in Malahide.   Annually it is expected that 1.3 billion litres of water will be filtered through the 120 oyster gardens located across the bay, removing nitrates and algae. The project also supports research by students from University College Dublin and Trinity College Dublin who monitor the oyster restoration locations in Dublin Bay and track biodiversity improvements.

Incorporating The Green Ocean Foundation CLG ‘Not for Profit’

The Green Ocean Foundation CLG was established as a ‘not for profit’ organisation to expand the reach and impact of marine conservation through meaningful collaboration with businesses and community groups. Its mission is to restore lost biodiversity, improve water quality, and capture carbon in Irish waters by fostering collective action. The foundation prioritises creating practical, science-based solutions and raising widespread awareness about critical marine ecosystems. Education and community outreach are at the heart of its approach, inspiring joint efforts to safeguard and revitalise coastal environments. By focusing on initiatives that are both impactful and sustainable, the foundation ensures long-term benefits for nature and local communities alike.

Looking Ahead

The ultimate vision of the Green Ocean Foundation’s Oyster Restoration Project is to create self-sustaining oyster populations that thrive without human intervention. Phase 2 is a crucial step toward this goal, laying the groundwork for ecological, social, and economic benefits. Healthy oyster reefs can transform Dublin Bay into a vibrant marine ecosystem, enriching biodiversity while fostering eco-tourism and carbon capture.

As the project progresses, the Foundation remains committed to transparency and inclusivity.  With continued public and private support, the Oyster Restoration Project is poised to leave a lasting legacy for generations to come.

To learn more or get involved in this transformative initiative, visit the Green Ocean Foundation’s website. Together, we can restore the heart of Dublin Bay, one oyster at a time.

What is B Corp Certification?

For those new to the concept, B Corp Certification is awarded by the non-profit B Lab to companies that meet high standards of social and environmental performance, accountability, and transparency. B Corps are recognised globally for their commitment to using business as a force for good, balancing profit with purpose to deliver long-term benefits for society, the environment, and their stakeholders. This certification requires a rigorous assessment across five key areas: governance, workers, community, environment, and customers.

Our certification journey pushed us to scrutinise and improve our practices, ensuring we meet B Lab’s high standards in all areas of our business. We’re incredibly proud to now join a global community of over 4,000 businesses that share a similar mission to prioritise purpose and impact.

Why B Corp Certification Matters to Us

From the beginning, Watermark Coffee has operated with a strong sense of responsibility towards sustainability and social impact. This certification formalises our commitment to these values, holding us accountable and inspiring us to continuously improve. For us, it’s not just about the coffee – it’s about how we can contribute to a fairer and more sustainable world.

Our dedication to environmental responsibility includes a range of high-impact projects funded through our coffee sales, each of which drives meaningful change. These projects range from community-led climate initiatives to educational outreach, helping to foster awareness and action across Ireland. Our Woodland Coffee and Green Ocean Coffee brands exemplify our belief in collaboration to expand our impact and support projects that benefit both people and the planet.

How Our Certification Impacts Our Clients and Community

Becoming a B Corp strengthens our commitment to delivering value and impact for our clients and community. As a B2B company serving corporate and hospitality clients across Ireland, our clients can be assured that their choice to work with us supports a business that upholds high ethical and sustainable standards while contributing to high-impact environmental projects here in Ireland. For our community, this certification reaffirms our dedication to our local environmental projects in Limerick, Dublin, and Mayo.

We’ve always believed in taking an active role in our community, offering educational programmes and participating in community-led environmental actions. B Corp Certification only intensifies our dedication to these initiatives and our drive to create a more inclusive and environmentally sustainable future.

What’s Next for Watermark Coffee as a B Corp?

With our B Corp Certification, Watermark Coffee is more energised than ever to amplify our impact. As we expand our Green Ocean and Woodland Projects each year, we’re committed to increasing our transparent, positive climate actions that create tangible local environmental impacts. Moving forward, a primary focus for Watermark Coffee will be to enhance our efforts in nature-positive business practices—aligning our growth with the principles of environmental regeneration and biodiversity protection.

Our journey to reduce our carbon footprint by lowering emissions is ongoing. While we’ve already achieved a significant 55% reduction in Scope 1 and Scope 2 emissions over the past six years, we remain committed to further reductions, recognising that every step counts in building a more sustainable future. This focus is essential to our long-term environmental goals and aligns with our dedication to responsible business practices under our B Corp values.

Becoming a certified B Corp is more than a milestone; it is a pledge to continuously improve—for our clients, our community, and the planet. At Watermark Coffee, we are excited about this new chapter as a B Corp and look forward to deepening our role in purpose-driven business for years to come.

The area that we are carrying out this phase of restoration is located in a sheltered part of Clew Bay surrounded by Inishgowla Island to the east and Dorinish Island to the west.  The islands provide shelter from sea surges and are an ideal habitat for seagrass and juvenile oysters to settle and form reefs over time.

The Clew Bay marine restoration project aims to use the native oyster as a ‘key stone’ species to improve biodiversity and promote the growth and propagation of seagrass.  One oyster filters about 190 litres of seawater daily, and seagrass is one of Earth’s most efficient carbon sequesters, locking away carbon up to 35 times faster than rainforest.  Developing oyster reefs also help to give stability to the sea floor allowing sea grass and sea weeds create an ideal spawning habitats for juvenile fish and invertebrates.

Every bag of Green Ocean Coffee sold has directly contributed to the restoration of every square meter of this newly restored area. Thank you to all our customers for supporting our efforts towards sustainability and positive change!

The objective of this project is to establish an oyster brood stock in Dublin Bay so that the stock of oysters will naturally expand and regenerate forming reefs in the environs of the Bay.  Oysters are a keystone species in terms of promoting habitat biodiversity and stabilising the sea floor to allow sea grass and other sea weeds to propagate.  This in turn provides an excellent environment for fish and other marine life to spawn and seek shelter.

Each Oyster filters approximately190 litres of sea water a day feeding on algae, plankton and nutrients in the water which helps to clean the water allowing sun light to penetrate the seafloor which in turn fosters the propagation of seagrass and seaweeds.  Seagrass is a powerful carbon sink as it sequesters atmospheric carbon dioxide at a rate of 35 times faster than an equivalent area of tropical rainforest.

This project, which we are running with UCD Marine Science Department, has only been possible with the co-operation of the marina operators, Dun Laoghaire Marina, Malahide Marina and Poolbeg Marina as well as the local councils of Dun Laoghaire Rathdown, Fingal and Dublin City Council.

We have had a lot of encouragement and advice from many different stakeholders including Tony Legg of Jersey Sea Farms, Bord Iascaigh Mhara, National Parks and Wildlife Service, the Marine Institute and the Department of Agriculture, Food and Marine and the EPA.  We are very grateful.

While getting to this stage has been a great milestone, pushing this project to the next level requires the involvement of the wider community of businesses, individuals, and community groups.  So, if you would like to be apart of this meaningful action orientated climate action project then please let us know!

Blas na hEireann is often described as the Oscars for the Irish Food Industry and included over 3000 submissions from a wide range of artisanal and specialist food producers.

Of the two categories for coffee (multi-origin and single origin categories), our Green Ocean Carrickwee won the Gold with a 1^st place win for the multi origin coffee. The Green Ocean Dorinish, which is a single origin from the Mutwiri coffee plantation in Kenya, won the silver medal with a second place win, and our Woodland Tibradden, which is also a single origin from Kenya came in with a 3^rd place win.

Speaking about the result, David Lawlor of Watermark Coffee said “We are really delighted that these wonderful coffees have performed so well.  In a very competitive market, with a lot of contenders in the competition, winning 3 out of 6 possible coffee awards is a fantastic result.”

The Green Ocean Carrickwee blend is a medium roast of speciality grade arabica beans sourced from Central America, Brazil and Kenya.  We designed this coffee recipe to reflect the increasing sophistication of Irish consumers but also to ensure it has maximum appeal.  It is not a huge surprise that it received the coveted first place win.

The Dorinish single origin from the coffee estate of Charles Mutwiri is a medium light roast but the earthiness of the Kenyan coffee gives more body with a nuanced sophisticated citrus and herbal flavour.

The Woodland Tibradden single origin coffee from Mt Kenya is roasted to medium light.  This speciality grade coffee has been a huge success since it was launched in 2022.

Producing fantastic coffee with a meaningful environmental purpose is the essence of what Green Ocean Coffee and Woodland Coffee stand for.

If you would like to find out more about these excellent coffees, or to arrange a coffee tasting for your business or office, then please let us know by calling 01 4666 000or dropping us an email on info@watermark.ie