Resistance of Dermo in eastern oysters, Crassostrea virginica (Gmelin), of North Carolina but not Chesapeake Bay Heritage

Growth, intensity of Perkinsus marinus (Levine) infection, and survival of synchronously spawned North Carolina (NC) and Chesapeake Bay‐heritage (CB) oysters, Crassostrea virginica (Gmelin) were evaluated under standard tray culture conditions at several sites in both regions (Wye River, Maryland; Mobjack Bay, Virginia; Pamlico River, NC and Bogue Banks, NC). Infection prevalence reached 100% in oysters held at all high‐ and moderate‐salinity sites, at which time the CB strain ceased to grow. Shortly after growth ceased, CB oysters exhibited mortality that rapidly progressed to 100%. Unlike the CB strain, growth continued in the NC strain despite high P. marinus prevalence. When mortality did occur in the NC strain, at a reduced rate of 37–40%, it was associated with higher intensity of P. marinus than the infection intensity correlated with death of CB oysters. At the low‐salinity site in NC, P. marinus infection persisted at low weighted prevalence throughout the latter portion of the culture period but was not associated with mortality of either strain. These trends in growth and disease resistance for the two strains demonstrate that aquaculture performance is related to the level of disease resistance in oyster strains, salinity of water in growing areas and virulence of P. marinus.     

Evaluation of resistance to Dermo in eastern oyster strains tested in Chesapeake Bay

We investigated growth, Dermo disease, and survival for nine groups of oysters, Crassostrea virginica (Gmelin) cultivated in Chesapeake Bay (CB). Five regional strains (upper CB, North Carolina (NC), South Carolina (SC), Louisiana (LA) and LA triploids) and four additional hybrid strains (CB oysters mated with NC, SC, LA and Texas (TX) oysters) were held in floating rafts at three locations representative of lower CB: ‘low’ salinity (3–14 g L^?1), ‘moderate’ salinity (5–20 g L^?1) and ‘high’ salinity (14–24 g L^?1). At each site, patterns of growth and incidence of infection with Perkinsus marinus (Levine), the causative agent of Dermo disease, were similar. However, mortality trends were markedly different at each site; the CB strain being notable for accelerated mortality following infection with P. marinus. In addition, hybrids between CB and all four of the regional strains exhibited similar accelerated mortality in response to infection. Mortality was strongly correlated with infection only at the high salinity site implicating interaction of differences in both oyster strain and virulence of Dermo between moderate and high salinity areas as factors in differential mortality across sites.     

Effects of tributyltin and hypoxia on the progression of Perkinsus marinus infections and host defence mechanisms in oyster, Crassostrea virginica (Gmelin)

Oysters, Crassostrea virginica (Gmelin), naturally infected by the protozoan parasite Perkinsus marinus in the field were exposed for 6 weeks to tributyltin (TBT), hypoxia, or to both stressors simultaneously. The TBT-exposed oysters continuously bioaccumulated TBT, reaching about 4 mg kg^??1 dry weight by 6 weeks; hypoxic oysters were exposed to water containing an average dissolved oxygen level of about 3 mg L^??1. Untreated control oysters suffered about 30% cumulative mortality by 6 weeks as a result of the progression of their P. marinus infections. The TBT treatment alone produced no additional mortality; however, cumulative mortality in hypoxic oysters was elevated. Mortality among oysters receiving both TBT and hypoxia significantly exceeded that caused by either stressor alone, suggesting a synergistic effect. In an attempt to identify immunotoxicological mechanisms underlying stress-related augmentation of P. marinus infections, defence-related immune functions were measured at 3 and 6 weeks in control and treated oysters. In general, the total number of haemocytes increased as the infections progressed, and the TBT and hypoxic treatments also caused significant additional increments in some samples. However, oxygen-dependent (reactive oxygen species) and oxygen-independent (lysozyme) antimicrobial host defence mechanisms appeared to be largely unaffected by TBT and/or hypoxia. This may be explained by the death of those oysters with marked immunological lesions prior to sampling or by the actual lack of treatment effects.     

Effects of controlled air exposure on the survival,growth, condition,pathogen loads and refrigerated shelf life of eastern oysters

The benefits of exposing eastern oysters to air during commercial culture have not been well‐characterized. An adjustable longline system (ALS) designed in Australia and recently adopted by the nascent aquaculture industry in the northern Gulf of Mexico, allows growing oysters at any position in the water column and is perfectly suited to study the benefits of air exposure. Four‐month old diploid oysters were deployed in an ALS and divided into three groups: 1) oysters exposed to air daily for 8–12 hr during low tide, 2) oysters exposed to air weekly (~24 hr once a week), and 3) oysters kept subtidally. Oyster mortality and growth rates, Perkinsus marinus load and condition index were then determined every 3 months over 2 years, while refrigerated shelf life and Vibrio vulnificus load were determined in summer and early fall of the second year. Summer mortalities were delayed, P. marinus infection intensities tended to be lower and condition index was significantly higher in oysters exposed to air daily compared with oysters exposed to air weekly or held subtidally. Shell heights of oysters exposed to air daily were lower for most of the study due to a lower growth rate during the initial sampling interval following deployment. No consistent differences were found in V. vulnificus loads or refrigerated shelf lives between the groups. It is recommended that ALS be set so that oysters are kept subtidally fall through spring to promote growth, and exposed to air daily during summer to delay P. marinus proliferation.     

Quantitative measurement of reproductive output in the American oyster, Crassostrea virginica (Gmelin), using an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA)

Abstract. A quantitative gonadal index was developed for oysters, Crassostrea virginica (Gmelin. 1791), using polyclonal antibodies from eggs and sperm. Percoll used in the purification of oyster eggs and sperm greatly improved the purity of antigens compared to filtering the egg or sperm through a fine mesh only. The antigen-antibody reaction was tested with indirect sandwich ELISA using alkaline phosphatase-conjugated goat anti-rabbit igG as a secondary antibody. Rabbit anti-oyster egg IgG and anti-oyster sperm IgG initially exhibited a weak cross-reactivity over somatic tissue. Absoring with acetone-dried oyster tissue powder removed this cross-reactivity. Both antisera exhibited strong specific immunological reactions to oyster eggs or sperm respectively. The quantity of eggs or sperm was measured using ELISA and a quantitative gonadosomatic index (dry wt of egg or sperm/dry wt oyster) (GSI) calculated. GSI from ELISA correlated with gonadal stage measured histologically. Monthly mean GSI of female oysters was highest during late spring to early summer (0·157–0·201) and lowest during early winter to early spring (0·002-0·000). Maximum GSI observed during the study was 0·422 for female oysters and 0·446 for male oysters. Female oysters produce 3·7–65·4 million eggs, with an average of 21·1 million during each spawning. A positive correlation was observed between the number of eggs produced and oyster size; the number of eggs in the gonad increased as oyster size (i.e. total dry wt) increased (r= 0·67); however, the relationship was non-linear. Large oysters contained proportionally fewer eggs. Prevalence of Perkinsus marinus parasitism was high, 90–100%, during the study, as was weighted incidence, 1·33 to 2·67, No statistically significant correlation was observed between infection intensity and the per cent weight of oyster eggs or egg number.     

Stress response of Crassostrea virginica (Gmelin, 1791) oysters following a reciprocal transfer between upriver and downriver sites

This study was designed to assess the physiological impact of transferring oysters between upriver and downriver aquaculture sites, a common practice in North America that is primarily aimed at reducing disease infections and predation on cultured stocks. In May 2009, oysters (Crassostrea virginica) were reciprocally transferred between an upriver and a downriver site in the Richibucto estuary in eastern Canada. Mortality, tissue and cellular stress responses were subsequently evaluated in August and October 2009. Overall, oyster mortality remained low (~5%) throughout the 5‐month study period with no significant difference between sites or oyster sources. However, by October oysters reared at the upriver site, regardless of their origin, had significantly higher levels of lysosomal membrane destabilization (63.6%, SE = 1.9) and digestive tubule atrophy (33.3–42.4%, SE = 3.6) than oysters reared at the downriver site (47.5%, SE = 1.8; 15.6–19.1%, SE = 3.8 respectively). They also exhibited a greater salinity differential between their mantle/haemolymph fluids and the ambient seawater, possibly indicating more restricted exchange with the environment. In general, the transfer of upriver oysters to a downriver site had a positive impact, i.e. lower levels of lysosomal destabilization and tubule atrophy, whereas transfer of downriver oysters upriver had the opposite effect. These results suggest that upriver environmental conditions negatively impact cellular and tissue integrity in oysters without leading to mortality during the summer–autumn period.     

Impact of a native predatory whelk on cultivated oysters (Crassostrea gigas) crops in San Quintin Bay, Mexico

San Quintin Bay (Baja, California, Mexico) is extensively utilized by artisanal farmers to cultivate Pacific oysters ( Crassostrea gigas ) using a rope/rack system. A large juvenile oyster mortality event was significantly correlated with the presence of native predatory whelks, Macron trochlea . Surveys, field and lab experiments were performed to identify the predatory behaviour of the whelk, determine factors affecting oyster mortality, and quantify the impact on oyster farmers. Macron trochlea was found to be a voracious, active predator, which can consume ∼4 juvenile oysters day⁻¹. Juvenile oysters suffer significantly higher mortality in the presence of whelks. Macron trochlea has the largest impact on small oysters. Once oysters grow to >30 mm they reach a size refuge above which there is much lower mortality. At average growth rates, an oyster can escape predation after ∼3 months. But, in areas of highest whelk densities, at average predation rates, whelks could consume the standing crop of juvenile oysters in approximately 43 days. For the artisanal oyster farmers of San Quintin this represents a substantial economic loss, which was unaccounted for previously. Farmers can reduce loss to whelk predation by seeding juvenile oysters in low whelk density areas until oysters reach the size refuge.     

Defining Dermo resistance phenotypes in an eastern oyster breeding population

Perkinsus marinus, the causative agent of Dermo disease, is responsible for mass mortalities and negatively impacts aquaculture production of the eastern oyster, Crassostrea virginica. Selective breeding is a viable option for Dermo disease management; however, fluctuations in natural selection pressure and environmental noise hinder accumulation of genetic gains acquired through field performance trials. The purpose of this study was to adapt and apply laboratory disease challenge methods to eastern oysters, better characterize resistance‐specific traits and assess the potential for genetic variation in Dermo resistance among distinct families within a breeding population. Two challenge experiments were conducted, one in 2014 and the other in 2015. Significant treatment (control vs. challenged) and family effects on survival (measured as per cent survival and days to death) were detected in the 2014 challenge, while overall high survival precluded the detection of a significant family effect in the 2015 challenge. An alternate measure of resistance, parasite elimination rate, was also measured in the 2015 challenge, and this varied significantly among families. Thus, both survival and the change in parasite concentration in oyster tissues over time represent Dermo resistance phenotypes that can be measured accurately with the adapted laboratory disease challenge protocol described here. The obvious next step is to incorporate the challenge protocol in eastern oyster breeding programmes to assess whether well‐defined, accurately measured, Dermo‐resistant phenotypes result in enhanced genetic improvement for this commercially important trait.     

Changes in the distribution of epifaunal reefs and oysters during 130 years of dredging for oysters in Foveaux Strait,southern New Zealand

1. Foveaux Strait, a narrow seaway that is exposed to heavy wave action and strong tidal currents, has been the subject of an oyster fishery for over 130 years. Before the oyster fishery commenced the seafloor was extensively covered by epifaunal reefs that were tidally‐oriented, linear aggregations of patch reefs. 2. Patch reefs are formed by the bryozoan Cinctipora elegans cemented by encrusting bryozoa, ascidians, sponges, and polychaetes. The molluscan epifauna is dominated by the oyster, Tiostrea chilensis and bysally attached bivalves. Mortality of oysters is probably lower and recruitment and growth may be higher within the reef habitat. 3. Fishers found commercial densities of oysters occurred only on epifaunal reefs. Fishers exploited local groups of reefs. These groups form the patchily distributed oyster beds characteristic of this fishery. 4. Dredging for oysters progressively modified reefs until oysters were the only epifauna remaining. Dredges caught oysters more efficiently after the catch bag no longer became saturated with other epifauna. This heightened efficiency allowed fishers to rapidly reduce oyster density to commercial extinction. Oyster density has not rebuilt on oyster beds abandoned by fishers. 5. The rate of modification of epifaunal reefs was slower during the early years of the fishery but has accelerated, especially over the last 37 years. Frequency of disturbance increased as the numbers of vessels fishing grew and fishers developed speedier dredging methods. Intensity of disturbance also increased as heavier dredges were introduced and allowed focused fishing of reefs. 6. Oysters became reduced to low densities in the eastern and central areas that fishers then abandoned. The commercially exploited area subsequently expanded to the limits of Foveaux Strait. 7. With accelerated modification of oyster habitat, disease mortality has become more important. 8. Attempting to rebuild the fishery by oyster enhancement may be more successful conjoined with habitat restoration. Copyright © 1999 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Determining culture strategies in populations of the European flat oyster, Ostrea edulis, affected by bonamiosis

Bonamiosis affects the viability of oyster culture in Galicia (NW Spain). This study shows the effects of the disease on three oyster populations from hatcheries in different culture areas (Cambados and Bueu) and different origin: stock A [F₁]_, stock B [F₂]_, and stock C [F₂]. These stocks were cultured between November 1998 and November 2000 in Cambados and Bueu. In the Cambados area, bonamiosis is considered to be endemic, while the disease does not generally affect Bueu area. Sampling was conducted at 3-month intervals to study prevalence of Bonamia, mortality and growth rates. In the Cambados area, bonamiosis was detected 12 months after beginning culture but in the Bueu area, it was not detected until 24 months after initiating cultures. Our results suggest that there is a relationship between presence of Bonamia ostreae and oyster mortalities, which were observed in the three stocks from Cambados. These mortalities were associated with the culture area (Cambados) and not with stock of oysters. Growth was satisfactory in both areas as oysters reached commercial size (60 mm) 15 months after beginning the cultures. In an area where Bonamia is present, such as Cambados, the oysters should be marketed promptly (after approximately 15–18 months of culture) but in areas where Bonamia is not present, such as Bueu, the oyster farmer can culture oysters over a long period of time, prior to harvest, if necessary.     

Development and distribution of the non-indigenous Pacific oyster (<Emphasis Type="Italic">Crassostrea gigas</Emphasis>) in the Dutch Wadden Sea

Pacific oysters (Crassostrea gigas) were first observed in the Dutch Wadden Sea near Texel in 1983. The population increased slowly in the beginning but grew exponentially from the mid-1990s onwards, although now some stabilisation seems to be occurring. They occur on a variety of substrates such as mussel beds (Mytilus edulis), shell banks, dikes and poles. After initial settlement spat may fall on older individuals and congregate to dense clumps and subsequently form reefs. Individual Pacific oysters grow 3–4 cm long in their first year and 2–3 cm in their second year. Many mussel beds (Mytilus edulis) are slowly taken over by Pacific oysters, but there are also several reports of mussel spat settling on Pacific oyster reefs. This might in the end result in combined reefs. Successful Pacific oyster spat fall seems to be related to high summer temperatures, but also after mild summers much spat can be found on old (Pacific oyster) shells. Predation is of limited importance. Mortality factors are unknown, but every now and then unexplained mass mortality occurs. The gradual spread of the Pacific oyster in the Dutch Wadden Sea is documented in the first instance based on historical and anecdotal information. At the start of the more in-depth investigation in 2002, Pacific oysters of all size classes were already present near Texel. Near Ameland the development could be followed from the first observed settlement. On dense reefs each square metre may contain more than 500 adult Pacific oysters, weighing more than 100 kg per m2 fresh weight.     

Oyster (<Emphasis Type="Italic">Crassostrea virginica</Emphasis>) gardening program for restoration in Delaware’s Inland Bays,USA

Eastern oyster, Crassostrea virginica is a keystone species in many estuarine bays. They clean the water by filtering out suspended particulates from the water column, while their reefs serve as valuable habitat for many ecologically and economically important macrofaunal species. However, with the ever-increasing development along our coastlines, the oyster population throughout the Mid-Atlantic region has plummeted as a result of overharvesting, extreme eutrophication, and disease. In response to this detrimental decline, many conservation organizations in the area have developed community-involvement programs commonly referred to as ‘oyster gardening’ to help restore the oyster population, while instilling within the community a strong sense of stewardship for their bays. Although the oyster gardening program in Delaware is relatively new, its popularity has grown tremendously. It is the hope of many Delaware residents that the reintegration of oysters into the Inland Bays will help to return their bays to the state of health in which they once were. Despite the expansion, further development of designated reef area is necessary to ensure the successful proliferation of C. virginica in Delaware’s Inland Bays.     

The feasibility of oyster raft culture in east coast estuaries

Styrofoam-floated oyster rafts were used to study the feasibility of raft culture in typical American east coast estuaries. Rafts were placed in Delaware Bay and several tidal tributaries in the state of Delaware. Four types of cultch were tested for resistance to the environment and utilization by setting spat. Hatchery-spawned oysters were reared on rafts and their growth and mortality were monitored. A special raft with moveable trays was designed to study the effectiveness of air drying in controlling fouling.Rafts withstood the environmental conditions in small tidal rivers but were severely damaged by waves in Delaware Bay. Although spat set was too low for commercial purposes in the rivers, sets approaching commercial density were obtained in the bay by putting bundles of strings on the oyster beds during setting. Oysters grown on rafts reached market size in approximately 2 years in two of the rivers: slower growth was noted in the other rivers. It was shown that fouling could be controlled effectively by air drying for 4 h each week.An economic analysis of raft culture for this area was conducted at the conclusion of the study, which showed that relatively high prices would be necessary to maintain a raft-based industry at this time.     

A Parasitological Survey of Oysters Along Salinity Gradients in Coastal Louisiana

Oysters were collected along salinity gradients within four major oyster producing watersheds in Louisiana (Lake Calcasieu, Terrebonne Bay, Barataria Bay and Lake Borgne) and examined for parasites in relation to oyster condition and reproductive state. The percentage of Infection by Perkinsus marinus, Nematopsis prytherchi, N. ostrearum, Bucephalus cuculus , prokaryotic inclusion bodies, and ciliates was recorded for each site. Average pigment cell number, oyster condition, gonadal index, and the percentage of oysters with atrophic digestive diverticula were also determined.
In general, oysters experienced higher levels of parasitism in higher salinity waters. Perkinsus marinus Occurrence was correlated with salinity, an atrophied condition of the oysters, and Nematopsis spp. occurrence. Oysters in poor condition had higher concentrations of pigment cells, greater atrophy of the digestive diverticula, and increased parasitism by N. ostrearum .     

Two epizootic Perkinsus spp. events in commercial oyster farms at Santa Catarina,Brazil

Perkinsus spp. have been detected in various bivalve species from north‐east Brazil. Santa Catarina is a South Brasil state with the highest national oyster production. Considering the pathogenicity of some Perkinsus spp., a study was carried out to survey perkinsosis in two oyster species cultured in this State, the mangrove oyster Crassostrea gasar and the Pacific oyster Crassostrea gigas. Sampling involved eight sites along the state coast, and oyster sampling was collected during the period between January 2013 and December 2014. For the detection of Perkinsus, Ray's fluid thioglycollate medium (RFTM) and histology were used, and for the identification of the species, PCR and DNA sequencing were used. Perkinsus spp. was found by RFTM in C. gigas and C. gasar from São Francisco do Sul. This pathology was also detected in C. gasar from Balneário Barra do Sul both, by RFTM and histology. Perkinsus marinus was identified in C. gigas and C. gasar from São Francisco do Sul and Perkinsus beihaiensis in C. gasar from Balneário Barra do Sul. This is the first report of P. marinus in C. gigas from South America. Results of this preliminary study suggest that both oyster species tolerate the species of Perkinsus identified, without suffering heavy lesions.     

Growth of the oyster Crassostrea corteziensis (Hertlein, 1951) in Sonora, Mexico

This is the first evaluation of growth and survival of spat of the Cortez oyster Crassostrea corteziensis (Hertlein) produced under controlled conditions in a coastal area in the state of Sonora, Mexico for aquaculture purposes. A suspended culture technique, used for the Pacific oyster C. gigas, was used. The Cortez oyster has an isometric shell growth during the first 13 months, reaching 71.3±1.9 mm length, 52.6±1.3 mm thickness and 25.1±0.8 mm width. Allometric growth was found between total weight and length, thickness and width (survival was 70%). The relationships between particulate organic, inorganic material, chlorophyll a and environmental parameters with growth are described. Growth rates of C. corteziensis were affected by temperature with retardation at less than 18°C. For aquaculture purposes, it is recommended that spat be sowed after winter, and oyster harvest occur at the end of autumn. According to the von Bertalanffy equation, Cortez oysters would reach the traditional exploitation size of 65 mm (mean length) at harvest. Finally, the results of this study have shown that C. corteziensis is a good candidate for aquaculture projects in this region.     

Shell shape and meat condition in selectively bred Sydney rock oysters,Saccostrea glomerata (Gould, 1850): The influence of grow‐out methods

The Australian edible oyster industry has been severely impacted by disease and declining yields since the 1970s. Selective breeding of Saccostrea glomerata is one measure addressing these problems by producing fast‐growing, disease‐resistant oysters. Farmers report that selected oysters have different growth characteristics than their wild counterparts using conventional grow‐out methods. This study investigated how different grow‐out methods influence commercially valuable oyster characteristics including shell length, shape, surface growth deformities and meat condition. In June 2015, selectively bred S. glomerata spat were deployed in two estuaries (Hawkesbury River and Georges River) in NSW, Australia, using three grow‐out methods (fixed trays, Stanway cylinders and floating baskets). In November 2015, oysters were transferred among grow‐out methods to test for the effects of changing grow‐out methods on oyster growth patterns. Oysters transferred from baskets to cylinders and from trays to cylinders had, on average, deeper and wider shells, a higher meat condition and fewer shell surface deformities than oysters in other grow‐out method combinations. However, these oysters were smaller than oysters not grown in cylinders. While there were some differences in growth patterns between the estuaries, overall it was the grow‐out methods that most influenced oyster characteristics. This was attributed to differences in the amount and magnitude of movement oysters experienced in the grow‐out methods, as recorded by motion sensors. This study demonstrates how grow‐out methods can be managed to achieve desired growth trajectories and therefore improve marketability among selective bred S. glomerata.     

Evaluation of the progeny of third-generation Sydney rock oyster Saccostrea glomerata (Gould, 1850) breeding lines for resistance to QX disease Marteilia sydneyi and winter mortality Bonamia roughleyi

A breeding program for Sydney rock oysters Saccostrea glomerata (Gould, 1850) has been selecting oysters for resistance to QX disease (Marteilia sydneyi) and winter mortality (Bonamia roughleyi) for three generations at three sites in Georges River, New South Wales, Australia. The experimental sites are located at the upper, middle and lower reaches of oyster growing areas in the estuary. QX disease mainly occurs in the middle and upper reaches and is most severe at the latter. Winter mortality on the other hand occurs mainly at the lower and middle reaches and is most severe at the former. Progeny of third‐generation Sydney rock oyster breeding lines were evaluated for resistance to both QX disease and winter mortality against a non‐selected control. Line 1, selected for QX disease resistance at the upper estuary site, had excellent resistance to one season of exposure to disease, but suffered high mortality during the second season of exposure. However, these oysters had already reached market size of 50 g whole weight, with low mortality at 2 years of age, before the second episode of QX disease. Line 2 showed good improvement in resistance to both diseases, whereas Line 3, was the most resistant to winter mortality. Selection for resistance to QX disease did not appear to confer resistance to winter mortality and the converse also applied.     

Dual disease resistance in a selectively bred eastern oyster, Crassostrea virginica, strain tested in Chesapeake Bay

Selective breeding efforts have yielded oyster strains, Crassostrea virginica, with improved survival and resistance against Haplosporidium nelsoni (MSX); however, because of susceptibility to the oyster pathogen Perkinsus marinus (Dermo), their utility has been limited in areas where the two parasites co-occur. Dual resistance to H. nelsoni and P. marinus was achieved through four generations of artificial selection of wild Delaware Bay oyster progeny at a site in the lower York River, Virginia, USA where both diseases are enzootic. During 1993–1995, survival, growth, and disease susceptibility of third generation Delaware Bay (F₃-DEBY) oysters were evaluated at the York River site in comparison to that of similarly selected third generation James River, Virginia oysters (F₃-JR), and first generation Louisiana oysters (F₁-LA), whose parents were naturally selected in the wild for resistance to P. marinus. During 1997–1999, the performance of F₄-DEBY was evaluated at three sites in Virginia in comparison to two groups of first generation oysters whose parents originated from Mobjack Bay and Tangier Sound, Virginia where both P. marinus and H. nelsoni are enzootic. In the presence of high infection pressure from both H. nelsoni and P. marinus, the F₃-DEBY stock showed significantly higher survival and growth than either the F₃-JR or F₁-LA strain. After 15 months of deployment, 79% of F₃-DEBY, 11% of F₃-JR and 17% of F₁-LA oysters were market size (≥76.2 mm) and cumulative mortality was only 16% in F₃-DEBY as compared to 42% in F₃-JR and F₁-LA. At the termination of the study, F₃-DEBY oysters exhibited 22% lower mortality than the F₁-LA stock, which outperformed the F₃-JR stock. Relative performance in respect to disease varied considerably with sample date; however, average H. nelsoni weighted prevalence varied such that F₃-DEBY1-LA=F₃-JR and average P. marinus weighted prevalence varied such that F₁-LA3-DEBY3-JR. In the 1997–1999 trial, F₄-DEBY oysters experienced 34–61% lower mortality, greater growth rate, and consistently lower prevalence and intensity of P. marinus than either Mobjack Bay or Tangier Sound oysters. H. nelsoni prevalences were very low (<12%) in all three stocks. This is the first study to demonstrate that reduced susceptibility to both P. marinus and H. nelsoni can be achieved through selective breeding.     

Early growth and reproduction of hatchery-produced Pacific oyster Crassostrea gigas in Gamakman Bay off the southern coast of Korea

We investigated the early growth and reproduction of hatchery-produced Pacific oysters Crassostrea gigas raised in a suspended long-line facility in Gamakman Bay, off the south coast of Korea. In October 2009, 4?months after transplanting, shell length had increased from 27.4 (July) to 82.5?mm (October), and tissue weight had increased from 0.2 to 5.2?g, indicating that the oyster had reached a marketable size in this month. Histological studies indicated rapid gonad maturation, and the oysters spawned during August and October, with a peak in September. An enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay used to quantify egg biomass revealed that the oysters produced a relatively small quantity of eggs, ranging from 5.1?% (August) to 8.8?% (September) of their body weight. The low total carbohydrate reserve in the tissue recorded in August and September coincided with intense energy utilization due to spawning, while the protein maximum in September matched peak egg mass. Our results suggest that hatchery-produced seed could supply a portion of the spat required in Gamakman Bay as well as in other oyster culture grounds of Korea, where the oyster industry is facing a shortage in the supply of natural spat.