Tag: oyster

New Research on Oyster Aquaculture

Shared on behalf of the East Coast Shellfish Grower’s Association

New research on oyster aquaculture through WHOI Sea Grant, Cape Cod Cooperative Extension and the SE Massachusetts Aquaculture Center.

1) A Comparison of Bottom and Floating Gear for Growing American Oysters (Crassostrea virginica) in Southeastern Massachusetts. Extension studies reveal that oysters grown in floating gear had better growth, survival and condition index compared with bottom cages.

2) Vp in oysters

Diane Murphy did a study where she compared Vibrio levels in oysters that were immediately iced upon harvest vs. those that exposed to ambient temps for 5 hours. Predictably iced oysters had lower counts, but the real take home message for me here was that Vibrio numbers reverted to baseline after 18 hours of resubmergence. So oysters that were exposed for 5 hours and returned to the waters overnight were back to normal by the following morning. This is another study that should help put to rest some of the concerns raised by regulators about shoreside culling and resubmergence.

Click here for more information.

Marine Extension Bulletin Available – Shellfish, Nitrogen and the Health of Our Coastal Waters

This marine extension bulletin serves to summarize the often confusing potential for shellfish to be used as part of a plan to mitigate the effects of excess nutrients in coastal waters. The Cape Cod area in particular is grappling with the potentially enormous costs of reducing the nutrient load to coastal waters and all options are up for discussion. Shellfish are natural inhabitants of coastal waters and through their normal feeding activity are involved in cycling and incorporating nutrients through their food. This bulletin discusses the potential, and also the challenges to using shellfish production as part of a nutrient reduction plan.

Click here for more information.

Raising Objections: R.I. Shellfish Farms Face Increasing Opposition

Shared on behalf of 41°N, Rhode Island’s Ocean and Coastal Magazine, a publication of Rhode Island Sea Grant and the Coastal Institute at the University of Rhode Island.

Author – Rudi Hempe

“Perry Raso’s Matunuck Oyster Bar, on the waterfront of South Kingstown’s Potter Pond, is jammed in the summer, and does respectable business year – round, even on a snowy day in January. Raso’s restaurant, however, is only the most visible part of his Matunuck Oyster Farm operation, and his success has not come without challenges in a state that boasts myriad regulatory hurdles amid increasing opposition to the aquaculture industry.”

“Raso’s oyster venture, with well over 100 employees, is considered by many of his peers a sign that aquaculture is flourishing in Rhode Island. But while his diners savor the fresh delectables on their plates, most have no idea what is involved in starting and maintaining an oyster farm in Rhode Island.”

“Raso grew up on the shore, and at age 12 was digging and diving for littlenecks in the salty water of Potter pond. His oyster operation got its start when he was an aquaculture and fisheries student the University of Rhode Island, where he graduated in 2002.”

Check out the full article here!

Toxic Algae and Oyster Disease in Narragansett Bay Presentation on March 26th

Coastal State Discussion Series: Toxic Algae and Oyster Disease in Narragansett Bay

Rhode Island researchers discuss impacts of emerging algal species and marine disease that may impact the state’s seafood and water resources.

Two potential threats have emerged in Narragansett Bay waters that raise concern for both the health of Rhode Island waters and the overall state of the seafood industry.

Researchers David Borkman, marine plankton expert at the University of Rhode Island (URI) Graduate School of Oceanography, and Roxanna Smolowitz, shellfish and fish disease expert at Roger Williams University, will discuss findings of a new harmful algae species and an oyster parasite in the second event of the Coastal State Discussion Series on Wednesday, March 26, from 4 to 6 p.m. at the University Club on URI’s Kingston campus.

Borkman has been studying marine plankton in Narragansett Bay for several decades and has found a new species of algae in R.I. waters, the third observation of this species on the East Coast and the first in New England. He will discuss his findings and studies of this highly toxic species and what its presence may mean for the health of the Bay.

Smolowitz will discuss her work that looks at the transmission and impact of a new parasitic disease in the eastern oyster. This parasite has been linked to the death of oysters in Martha’s Vineyard, and its presence in Rhode Island shows a potential for significant infection of eastern oyster farms, impacting the state’s $2 million oyster industry.

This event is free and open to the public, but seating is limited, so please contact Meredith Haas at mmhaas@mail.uri.edu to reserve a place or for more information. The University Club is located on Upper College Road on URI’s Kingston Campus.

The Coastal State series is sponsored by Rhode Island Sea Grant and the URI Coastal Institute with the support of the URI Graduate School of Oceanography and the URI College of the Environment and Life Sciences. This lecture is also supported by the Rhode lsland Shellfish Management Plan.

Rhode Island Sea Grant is located at the URI Graduate School of Oceanography. For more information, visit seagrant.gso.uri.edu.

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