Professional diploma800 h · Online · 8 modules

Professional Diploma in Native Oyster and Shellfish Reef Restoration

This professional diploma prepares you to plan the recovery of the European flat oyster (Ostrea edulis) and other shellfish reefs, habitats that once covered large areas of the coastal seabed and are now scarce. You will study the biology of oysters and mussels, the historical causes of their decline, seed production, the choice of substrates and biosecurity against disease, as well as the design of monitoring for restored reefs.

Duration800 h
ModeOnline
Start1 December
Modules8
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About the program

What is the Professional Diploma in Native Oyster and Shellfish Reef Restoration?

This professional diploma prepares you to plan the recovery of the European flat oyster (Ostrea edulis) and other shellfish reefs, habitats that once covered large areas of the coastal seabed and are now scarce. You will study the reproduction, growth and filtration of oysters and mussels, the services their reefs provide for water quality, biodiversity and coastal protection, and the causes of their decline, from overexploitation and loss of hard substrate to Bonamia and pollution. You will compare hatchery production with natural spat collection, choose substrates and sites, apply biosecurity protocols and define indicators of survival, recruitment and reef structure.

What sets this diploma apart: a forgotten habitat, as oyster and mussel reefs are among the most reduced coastal habitats; a complete path from seed to reef, covering hatchery production, natural spat collection and substrates; biosecurity, with the management of disease risk and unwanted species; a close connection with the sector through cooperation with aquaculture and shellfish harvesting; and a practical case in which you draw up a restoration plan for a specific estuary or bay.

Program typeProfessional diploma
ModeOnline
Duration800 hours
Modules8
Start1 December

Program highlights

  • Forgotten habitat: oyster and mussel reefs, among the most reduced coastal habitats.
  • From seed to reef: hatchery production, natural spat collection and substrates.
  • Biosecurity: managing the risk of disease and unwanted species.
  • Connection with the sector: cooperation with aquaculture and shellfish harvesting.
  • Monitoring: survival, recruitment, reef structure and adaptive management.
  • Practical case: a restoration plan for a specific estuary or bay.
Syllabus

Syllabus of the Professional Diploma in Native Oyster and Shellfish Reef Restoration

8 modules. Select a module to see its content.

Module 1

Biology and ecology of bivalves

  • 1.1. The European flat oyster
  • 1.2. Other reef-building oysters and mussels
  • 1.3. Reproduction and the larval stage
  • 1.4. Settlement and metamorphosis
  • 1.5. Growth and longevity
  • 1.6. Filtration and feeding
  • 1.7. Structure of a shellfish reef
  • 1.8. Associated fauna
At this stage
100 hestimated workload
8 wkweeks at your pace
Module 2

Ecosystem services and historical decline

  • 2.1. Improving water quality
  • 2.2. Nutrient cycling
  • 2.3. Habitat for fish and invertebrates
  • 2.4. Sediment stabilization and coastal protection
  • 2.5. History of oyster exploitation
  • 2.6. Loss of natural beds
  • 2.7. Historical baselines
  • 2.8. Current status in Europe
At this stage
100 hestimated workload
8 wkweeks at your pace
Module 3

Threats and diseases

  • 3.1. Overexploitation
  • 3.2. Loss of hard substrate
  • 3.3. Pollution and water quality
  • 3.4. Bonamia and other diseases
  • 3.5. Competing invasive species
  • 3.6. Predators
  • 3.7. Climate change
  • 3.8. Threat assessment in an estuary
At this stage
100 hestimated workload
8 wkweeks at your pace
Module 4

Seed and juvenile production

  • 4.1. Oyster hatcheries
  • 4.2. Broodstock conditioning
  • 4.3. Larval rearing
  • 4.4. Settlement in the hatchery
  • 4.5. Natural spat collection
  • 4.6. Genetic origin of the seed
  • 4.7. Transport and seeding
  • 4.8. Production costs and scale
At this stage
100 hestimated workload
8 wkweeks at your pace
Module 5

Substrates and reef design

  • 5.1. Shell substrate
  • 5.2. Artificial structures
  • 5.3. Biodegradable materials
  • 5.4. Relief design and orientation
  • 5.5. Site selection
  • 5.6. Hydrodynamics and sedimentation
  • 5.7. Depth and salinity
  • 5.8. Integration with navigation and fishing
At this stage
100 hestimated workload
8 wkweeks at your pace
Module 6

Biosecurity and regulatory framework

  • 6.1. Risks of translocations
  • 6.2. Biosecurity protocols
  • 6.3. Health control of seed
  • 6.4. Unwanted species
  • 6.5. Seeding authorizations
  • 6.6. Fisheries and aquaculture regulations
  • 6.7. Protected areas
  • 6.8. Coordination with producers
At this stage
100 hestimated workload
8 wkweeks at your pace
Module 7

Monitoring and management

  • 7.1. Designing the monitoring
  • 7.2. Survival and growth
  • 7.3. Natural recruitment
  • 7.4. Density and reef structure
  • 7.5. Associated biodiversity
  • 7.6. Water quality
  • 7.7. Involvement of shellfish harvesters
  • 7.8. Adaptive management
At this stage
100 hestimated workload
8 wkweeks at your pace
Module 8

Practical case: shellfish reef restoration plan

  • 8.1. Selecting the estuary or bay
  • 8.2. Historical and current diagnosis
  • 8.3. Threat analysis
  • 8.4. Seed strategy
  • 8.5. Substrate design
  • 8.6. Biosecurity plan
  • 8.7. Monitoring and budget
  • 8.8. Presentation of the plan
At this stage
100 hestimated workload
8 wkweeks at your pace
Plan your pace

Duration and format of the Professional Diploma in Native Oyster and Shellfish Reef Restoration

It is 800 hours. Tell us how many you can study each week and we will tell you when you will really finish.

4 h30 h
With 12 h per week
15
months to finish
67 weeks
weeks in total

This is the pace at which most students finish. It fits well with the installment plan.

Faculty

Academic leadership and faculty

The Navalis teaching team: working professionals who teach and supervise the programs.

Dra. Marina AlcoverDr. Marina AlcoverAcademic Director and Head of Quality Assurance
Ing. Diego CifuentesEng. Diego CifuentesSenior Lecturer in Naval Welding and Non-Destructive Testing; Head of QA/QC for Welded Joints
Cap. Javier Abaroa (MCA)Capt. Javier Abaroa (MCA)Senior Lecturer in Ship Handling, Electronic Navigation (ECDIS/Radar/ARPA) and GMDSS; STCW Compliance and Bridge Resource Management Coordinator
Dr. Pau FerrerDr. Pau FerrerSenior Lecturer in Naval Architecture and Simulation; Director of the Hydrodynamics and CFD Laboratory
Dra. Nuria LlobregatDr. Nuria LlobregatSenior Lecturer in Marine Meteorology, SAR and Operational Safety; Navigation Risk Management Coordinator
Ing. Javier BañulsEng. Javier BañulsSenior Lecturer in Electrical Engineering, Automation and ETO Engineering; Electronic Integration and Engine Alarms Coordinator
Ing. Sofía MarquinaEng. Sofía MarquinaSenior Lecturer in Materials, Composites and Corrosion Protection; Coordinator of the Advanced Paints and Coatings Line
Ing. Tomás RieraEng. Tomás RieraSenior Lecturer in Propulsion, Alternative Energy and Hybrid Systems; Energy Performance and Vibration Coordinator
Objectives

Objectives of the Professional Diploma in Native Oyster and Shellfish Reef Restoration

01Understand bivalve biology.
02Value reef services.
03Analyze the causes of decline.
04Plan seed production.
05Apply biosecurity measures.
06Design the monitoring.
Careers

Career opportunities after the Professional Diploma in Native Oyster and Shellfish Reef Restoration

01Shellfish restoration techniciandesign and delivery of projects in estuaries and bays.
02Hatchery technicianseed production for restoration.
03Environmental consultantcompensatory measures in coastal areas.
04Shellfish management technicianmanaging natural beds with the sector.
05NGO project coordinatorrestoration programs with local stakeholders.
06Ecological monitoring technicianassessment of restored reefs.
Frequently asked questions

Questions about the Professional Diploma in Native Oyster and Shellfish Reef Restoration

Because it is a habitat-forming species that has lost much of its historical range in Europe and is the focus of numerous recovery projects.

Yes. The program also studies mussel reefs and reefs formed by other oyster species.

Because moving seed between areas can spread diseases such as bonamiosis or introduce unwanted species.

Yes. The program connects mollusc production with restoration objectives.

A restoration plan for an estuary or bay, covering the seed strategy, substrate design, biosecurity, monitoring and budget.

Entirely online, through a virtual campus available 24/7, with live sessions that are recorded and tutorials with the teaching staff.

The professional diploma is taught online and comprises 800 hours of study across 8 modules of about 100 hours each, ending with a practical case in which you apply what you have learned to a restoration plan for an estuary or bay.

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Online admission

Admission process

No waiting for a call back. If your documents are in order, you can enroll in the same session.

Entry requirements
  • Profile: aimed at biologists and marine science graduates who wish to specialize in shellfish restoration, mollusc aquaculture professionals who want to take part in restoration projects, technicians in fisheries and environmental administrations who manage natural beds and estuaries, environmental consultants who design compensatory measures in coastal areas, and NGO professionals who promote conservation projects in estuaries. A degree in biology, marine sciences, environmental sciences, agricultural engineering or a related field, or professional experience in aquaculture or marine conservation, is recommended.
  • Language: sufficient command of English to follow the classes and the technical documentation.
  • Technical resources: a computer with a stable internet connection, an up-to-date browser and a camera for live sessions and project presentations.
  • Admission: online application, review of your profile and a short interview with the academic team.
  1. 01
    Application
    Your details, background and documents.
  2. 02
    Instant review
    We check that everything is complete and in order.
  3. 03
    Enrollment
    Choose full payment or instalments and reserve your place.
Start my applicationFrom $396 deposit

Admission is provisional until the committee validates the documents provided. If you do not meet the requirements, the full amount is refunded.

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