Water as Food Production Habitat

Marine habitat loss is causing a decline in shellfish populations, which is having an adverse knock-on effect on sensitive ecosystems, a study suggests.

Described as the first global assessment of its kind, it warns that 85% of the world's oyster reefs have already been lost.

The findings, published by The Nature Conservancy (TNC), adds that many other reefs are now "functionally extinct".

It blames poor fishing practices and coastal developments for the declines.

Among the report's recommendations were to elevate native, wild oysters as a priority species for conservation, and ensuring existing protection policies were extended to include the vulnerable reefs.

Read more about Shellfish Endangered Species at BBC