Earth observation-based monitoring of oyster tretles and associated damage in a special protection area (SPA): the case of Lough Foyle (Ireland) | Environmental Crimes 2026 Workshop

This poster was presented at the Environmental Crimes Joint Workshop with ESA-JRC-UNODC (29 September – 1 October 2026, ESA-ESRIN, Frascati, Italy). It was developed within the more4nature project. Intertidal and shallow sublittoral bivalve aquaculture can put pressure on coastal ecosystems. Traditional monitoring is difficult because farms are often extensive and remote, and inspections depend on low-tide windows and suitable water transparency. This creates a need for robust, independent and scalable monitoring approaches. The study focuses on the Lough Foyle Special Protection Area (SPA 004087), designated in 2014 under the EU Birds Directive (2009/147/EC). The SPA covers the Donegal coast of Lough Foyle, a transboundary estuary between Ireland and Northern Ireland. Unauthorised Pacific oyster farming began there around 2010 and has since become the dominant shoreline use. more4nature is funded by the European Union’s Horizon Europe programme (HORIZON-CL6-2023-GOVERNANCE-01) and by Innovate UK. It runs from January 2024 to December 2027. More information: www.more4nature.eu