Rearing equipment on the quality aspects and growth performance of Crassostrea gigas (Thunberg, 1793): Implications for marketability

Shell characteristics and consequent marketability of the oyster Crassostrea gigas are influenced by several factors, and most important of which are the rearing methods and gears. In this study, we investigated the effects of two different gears on the quality aspect (shell shape, weight meat percentage, backward shell shape, epibionts and blisters) and growth rate (weight and length) of C. gigas by adopting the innovative Ortac Oyster Farming System, during the field grow‐out phase of production. Aspect and growth of oysters farmed in Ortac and floating bags were compared. After 14 weeks, the aspect of the animals was influenced by the gear, resulting in a lower quality in the Ortac (i.e. worse shell shape, lower weight meat percentage, higher percentage of backwards and blisters) than in the floating bag, while the incidence of epibionts was less in the Ortac. Regarding the growth performance, total wet weight gained in the Ortac was lower (~28.3 g) than in the floating bag (~32.4 g; p < .05). These results highlight the efficiency of the floating bag as oyster rearing system in the Mediterranean basin and suggest the need to alter the Ortac gear to these environmental conditions.     

Fouling and predation; how do they affect growth and survival of the blacklip pearl oyster, Pinctada margaritifera, during nursery culture?

This paper reports on 5 experiments conducted to assess the effect of cleaning regime and predation on growth and survival of blacklip pearl oyster (Pinctada margaritifera) juveniles in north Queensland, Australia. P. margaritifera juveniles with a mean (±SE) dorso-ventral shell height (DVH) of 4.5 ± 0.1 mm were placed into plastic mesh trays and cleaned either every 4 or 8 weeks or left uncleaned for 16 weeks. Cleaning regime had a significant effect on growth and survival (P < 0.005). Lowest DVH (16.2 ± 1.0) was shown by oysters in uncleaned trays during 16 weeks compared to oysters in cleaned trays; however, there was no significant difference in DVH between oysters held in trays cleaned every 4 (19.4 ± 1.2) or 8 weeks (21.2 ± 0.8). In contrast lowest survival was shown by oysters held in trays that were cleaned every 4 weeks (30 ± 5%), but no differences were noted between oysters cleaned every 8 weeks (63 ± 4%) and oysters that were left uncleaned for 16 weeks (75 ± 8%). Predators of P. margaritifera in northern Australia included crabs, stomatopods, flatworms, gastropods and fish. The stomatopod, Gonodactylus falcatus, was the most destructive predator with individuals consuming in excess of 20 juvenile pearl oysters per week. The leather jacket, Paramonocanthus japonicus, did not kill pearl oysters, but trimmed the margin of oysters shells significantly reducing DVH when compared to control groups cultured without fish. Removing predators monthly had a significant effect on growth of pearl oysters compared to oysters in non-inspected trays; however monthly inspection of culture trays did not significantly improve oyster survival. This revised version was published online in August 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date.     

Growth, fatness and gross biochemical composition of the Japanese oyster, Crassostrea gigas, in Stanway cylinders in the Bay of Arcachon, France

A new method of oyster cultivation, the Stanway oyster cylinder, has been investigated in the Bay of Arcachon since 1989. A comparative study was carried out between the growth of spat and 18-month-old Crassostrea gigas oysters, in cylinders and in traditional bags. The growth in height and in whole weight was lower in cylinders. In contrast, the tests showed a better quality of the meat, with higher condition index and higher carbohydrate content, and a better quality of the shell, with higher density and better shape. Therefore, because of the improvement in oyster quality, the use of the cylinder seems to be advantageous for the Arcachon oyster industry.     

Phenotypic indicators for cultured pearl size improvement in the black‐lipped pearl oyster (Pinctada margaritifera): towards selection for the recipient growth performance

The black‐lipped pearl oyster, Pinctada margaritifera, is the most important farmed species in French Polynesia and the basis of the most valuable export industry. Mass production of black pearls relies on a surgical operation requiring tissue from a donor pearl oyster to be grafted, together with a nucleus made of shell, into the gonad of a recipient oyster. Improving pearl size through family selection remains one of the main challenges for future aquaculture development. This study analyses the relative contribution of donor and recipient oysters to pearl size. To this end, hatchery‐produced donor oysters of two batches, large and small (based on shell height), were used to supply grafts for recipients, which were then monitored individually for their growth performance by recording shell height, width, and thickness, and total live weight (flesh + shells) every 6 months (four biometric measurement times) over 20 months of culture. Pearls issued from the two batches of donors showed no significant differences in nacre weight or thickness. In contrast, recipient oyster shell height and total weight were increasingly positively correlated with these pearl size parameters over the culture period, becoming significant at 8 months post‐grafting. Potential therefore exists to use shell height and oyster weight as phenotypic indicators for selective breeding of recipient oysters with high growth performance to increase pearl size in P. margaritifera.     

Growth of triploid oyster, Crassostrea madrasensis (Preston)

The performance of I and II meiotic triploids and control oysters (Crassostrea madrasensis) reared at Tuticorin Bay was compared to determine if the improvements in the growth of edible oysters were additive to faster growth in triploids. After a grow‐out period of 12 months, both mean whole weights and shell heights were in order I meiotic triploid>II meiotic triploid>control. Mean whole weights and shell height of different oyster lines were all significantly different (P<0.05). On an average, larger morphological traits indicated that growth improvements from triploids were additive, and throughout the study triploid oysters maintained faster growth rate than their diploid siblings. Condition index and adductor muscle diameter of both triploids were higher than those of control.     

Testing the efficacy of bouncing-bucket nursery systems for enhancing shell strength and thickness in on-bottom cultured Eastern oysters (Crassostrea virginica)

Through physical manipulation, oyster growers can modify the morphological features of young oysters in order to improve their robustness and resiliency to predation. In this study, the efficacy of a novel passive culturing technique using floating buckets that “bounce” oysters prior to the benthic grow-out phase for enhancing shell thickness and strength, while not compromising oyster shape, was investigated. Using a field experiment, we quantified and compared the shell thickness (mm), compressive strength (Newtons), and shape (fan ratios and cup ratios) of juvenile oysters subjected to this bouncing technique with oysters grown in floating bags, the current industry standard. Results indicated that bouncing increased shell thickness and strength for oysters >45 mm shell height compared to control oysters, but also decreased shell thickness and strength for oysters <45 mm shell height compared to control oysters. There was no difference in shell shape between bounced and control oysters, with both groups having similar fan and cup ratios. Ultimately, our results suggest that the size at which bounced oysters are released to the benthos for grow out will dictate the usefulness of bouncing technique for reducing predation-related mortality.     

Commercial assessment of growth and mortality of fifth-generation Sydney rock oysters Saccostrea glomerata (Gould, 1850) selectively bred for faster growth

The Sydney rock oyster Saccostrea glomerata (Gould, 1850) industry acquired hatchery-produced spat selected for faster growth for the first time in January 2004. Selectively bred and non-selected (Control) spat produced concurrently were used to compare performance when grown under commercial conditions. Spat were distributed to farmers in seven estuaries in New South Wales. Individual farmers cultivated these oysters using their own techniques and growth and mortality were recorded quarterly. At each site, the two oyster types were cultivated using the same culture method, location and density. Growth was compared when oysters were 27 months of age. At this time, selectively bred oysters were significantly larger and heavier than Control oysters. The same result was obtained when oysters were compared at the point in time when selectively bred oysters had reached 50 g at each site. No significant difference was found for cumulative mortality between the selectively bred oysters and Control oysters across all sites. However, the seven sites had significantly different levels of cumulative mortality. Overall, the performance of selectively bred oysters was superior to the Control oysters and selectively bred oysters reached the 50 g bench mark within 29.3 months when averaged across all sites.     

Optimizing intertidal Pacific oyster (Thunberg) culture, Houhora Harbour, northern New Zealand

Experiments were designed to determine the optimum intertidal rack height and growing density for producing Pacific oysters free of mudworm infestations and flatworm predators in the Houhora Harbour, northern New Zealand. At the same level, oysters grew to a larger size in the front of the farm (seaward) compared with those towards the rear (shoreward). Two experimental ‘step racks’ were constructed to test for the optimum oyster growth rates, oyster condition, shell density and degree of mudworm shell blistering. When experimental results were ranked for each rack level, extreme low water neap (ELWN) was the optimum growing level for the back of the farm, and 0.25 m above ELWN was the optimum growing level for the front of the farm. An efficient kill of flatworm predators was not achieved by any of the control methods tried, so avoidance of infestations is advised. The optimum density of oysters on a 1.2‐m stick required to achieve maximum condition, shell density and ideal shell shape was 4–5 dozen.     

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

The Sydney rock oyster breeding programme began in 1990 and initially focused on faster growth and resistance to winter mortality disease (WM, Bonamia roughleyi) before including QX disease (QX, Marteilia sydneyi) resistance in 1997. Four generations of oysters have now been exposed to these diseases at three sites in the Georges River, NSW, Australia (Lime Kiln Bar, LKB; Woolooware Bay, WB; and, Quibray Bay, QB). Non‐selected control oysters and lines developed at each site (Line 1 – LKB, Line 2 – WB, Line 3 – QB) were placed at the three sites alongside a new QX‐resistant line (Line 4) bred from QX survivors in other NSW estuaries. Line 1 oysters grew to a marketable size (>50 g) in two years with minimal losses following QX disease outbreaks: 28% mortality compared with 97% in controls. Losses in Line 3 oysters selected for WM resistance at QB were reduced by more than half (23% versus 52%). Line 2 performed best at WB, but this line showed excellent resistance to QX at LKB and WM at QB, indicating that breeding for resistance to both diseases is effective. However, selection of oysters for QX did not confer resistance to WM and vice versa.     

Growth and survival of the pearl oyster Pinctada imbricata (Röding 1758) in supended and bottom culture in the Golfo de Cariaco, Venezuela

We evaluated growth and survival rates of Pinctadaimbricata in relation to environmental changes during nine months insuspended and bottom culture in the Golfo de Cariaco, Venezuela. Juveniles,measuring 13 mm in length, were cultured using two methods, (1) inSpanish-type baskets suspended at 3–4 m in depth from a longline and (2) in baskets embedded on the seabed (7–8 m indepth). At monthly intervals, we quantified mortality and took a sample ofoysters to determine shell length (dorsal-ventral axis) and the dry mass of theshell, muscle and remaining tissues. We also quantified the dry mass of foulingon the shells (a potentially important environmental factor). Survival rateswere slightly higher in suspended culture (98–100%), although notsignificantly higher than on the bottom. The growth rate was higher in suspendedculture than on the bottom culture, and the difference between culture methodswas greater for tissue and shell biomass than for shell dimensions. At the endof the study, oysters measured 55 mm in shell length for oysters insuspension and 45 mm for those on the bottom. Although growth wasnot significantly correlated with any environmental factor, it tended toincrease with increases in chlorophyll a during periods ofupwelling, thus suggesting that phytoplankton abundance enhanced the growth ofPinctada imbricata. The pearl oyster Pinctadaimbricata should be an excellent species for aquaculture activities,given its high rates of growth and survival in suspended culture and itseconomic importance in the Caribbean region.     

Evaluation of progeny of fourth generation Sydney rock oyster Saccostrea glomerata (Gould, 1850) breeding lines

The progeny of four 4th generation Sydney rock oyster Saccostrea glomerata (Gould, 1850) breeding lines that were selected for fast growth were compared in a 3‐year farming experiment. Oysters of the most improved breeding line (line 2) reached market size (≥50‐g whole weight) 15 months earlier than non‐selected control oysters (3 years and 5 months). The average reduction in time to market size for oysters of all four breeding lines was 12.5 months.     

Growth,mortality and reproductive traits of diploid and triploid Pacific oysters (Crassostrea gigas,THUNBERG, 1793) in Southern Brazil

This work aimed to evaluate the whole weight (g), shell height (mm), mortality (%) and reproductive aspects (condition index and histology) of triploid (3N) Pacific oysters (Crassostrea gigas) cultivated in southern Brazil. To accomplish this, a comparative experiment was performed with a diploid (2N) control group in two cultivation sites on Santa Catarina Island: North Bay (NB) and South Bay (SB). Whole weight, height and cumulative mortality were evaluated monthly for eight months and condition index (CI) for six months. Histological analysis was performed every two weeks for four months to investigate reproductive aspects. At the end of the experiment, whole weight and height were similar for 3N and 2N oysters. However, while more growth in whole weight and height was observed in the initial phase of cultivation in NB, such growth was not detected in SB until intermediate and final grow‐out phase. At harvest, cumulative mortality in 3N oysters was similar that in 2N oysters. The results suggest that diploid and triploid oysters grown in southern Brazil have similar developmental patterns based on whole weight and height, as well as reproductive cycle. In addition, cultivation sites have more influence on growth and mortality than ploidy levels.     

Heritability estimates for nutritional quality‐related traits of the Pacific oyster,Crassostrea gigas

Pacific oysters, Crassostrea gigas, are the most abundantly harvested shellfish in the world and are ecologically significant. The content of nutrients, including protein, glycogen, lipid, zinc (Zn), and selenium (Se), is important for oyster meat quality, but heritability estimates of such traits have rarely been reported. In this study, 64 full‐sib families were generated using a nested mating design. Finally, 18 full‐sib families, of which there were nine half‐sib families, with each containing 2 full‐sib families, were sampled for heritability estimates. The narrow‐sense heritabilities of glycogen, protein, lipid, Zn, and Se contents were 0.29 ± 0.02, 0.38 ± 0.02, 0.58 ± 0.08, 0.02 ± 0.02, and 0, respectively. Negative genetic correlations existed between both glycogen and protein content (?0.95 ± 0.004) and between lipid and protein content (?0.59 ± 0.05), whereas a positive correlation was observed between lipid and glycogen content (0.16 ± 0.06). Weak genetic and phenotypical correlations (r = 0–0.2) were observed between shell height and nutritional quality traits. These data demonstrated that glycogen, protein, and lipid content can be chosen in a selective breeding program, but glycogen and lipids cannot be selected together with protein. Furthermore, performing indirect selective breeding for quality traits by selecting traits related to growth is impossible. This study provides information for the development of breeding strategies for oyster quality traits.     

牡蛎礁修复的底物筛选：新、旧牡蛎壳附苗效果比较#br#

通过2019年室内和野外附着实验,检验了牡蛎壳(新壳和旧壳)和生物膜(有生物膜和无生物膜)对牡蛎附着量的影响。室内附着实验表明,在生物膜处理下新壳上牡蛎附着量显著高于旧壳(P<0.05);而在无生物膜对照组中,新、旧壳上牡蛎附着量无显著差异(P>0.05)。野外附着实验发现,生物膜显著提升了旧壳上牡蛎附着量,但对新壳上牡蛎附着量无显著影响。通过2020年野外附着实验,检验了牡蛎壳(新壳和旧壳)和潮区(滩面以上0.6 m和1.1 m)对牡蛎和藤壶附着量的影响。牡蛎附着量在每个潮区中,15 d、45 d和70 d时新壳均显著高于旧壳(P<0.05)。藤壶附着量仅在0.6 m潮区中、15 d时新壳显著高于旧壳,而45 d和70 d时,各潮区中新、旧壳上藤壶附着量均无显著差异(P>0.05)。研究发现,总体来看新壳的附苗效果好于旧壳,这种差异涵盖了整个牡蛎繁殖、附着及补充的高峰期。因此,牡蛎礁修复中应优先选取新壳作为底物。     

Growth of the European flat oyster in the Mediterranean Sea (Murcia, SE Spain)

Growth of the natural European flat oyster (Ostrea edulis L.) spat from the Mar Menor (Murcia, Spain) was studied in the Mediterranean Sea over 18 months. The oysters were cultured in two types of containers, stackable plastic Galician trays and plastic mesh pots, deployed at a depth of 15 m hung from a long-line. Two size classes of spat were used, Class I spat (initially 53 mm in size and 19 g in weight) and class II spat (initially 31 mm, 4 g). The best results were observed in the class I oysters grown in the trays, which yielded a substantial biomass (24.77 kg m^–2), the survival rate was 69% and commercial size (60 mm) was attained by all the oysters within 9 months of the start of the experiment. The observed growth of the class II oysters was poor, attaining a mean of not more than 50 mm and 18 g; the survival rate ranged between 25–74% and only between 8–13% of the class II spat attained commercial size.     

Spatfalls of the non-native Pacific oyster,Crassostrea gigas,in British waters

Light spatfalls of the Pacific oyster, Crassostrea gigas, have occurred in the estuaries of the Rivers Exe, Teign and Dart (Devon) and in the Menai Strait (Gwynedd), near to sites of commercial cultivation of this species. Comparisons of the sizes of the naturally settled oysters with hatchery oysters suggests that the spat from the River Teign and Menai Strait settled in 1989 and 1990. The springs and summers of these years were exceptionally warm with mean monthly air temperatures 0.8°-1.3°C above the 1951–1980 average for the period April to August. Although sitings of Pacific oyster spat were made in Loch Sween and Emsworth Harbour over 20 years ago, there is no evidence that self-sustaining populations have developed. The spatfalls which occurred in some coastal waters of Devon and Gwynedd in 1989 and 1990 are unlikely to sustain natural fisheries and are likely to die out as did the Portuguese oysters which occasionally settled in the River Blackwater, Essex.     

Experimental deepwater culture of the Sydney rock oyster (Crassostrea commercialis): III. Raft cultivation of trayed oysters

Sydney rock oysters, normally intertidal, were submerged below rafts in vertical stacks of 15 oyster trays extending 2 m deep. Growth rates and mortality were not good or economically encouraging. The best growth was from small culled spat (43 whole oysters/kg) to large seconds (28/kg), an increase of 59% in 9 months. The minimum mortality was 52%. Fouling growths of barnacles, tunicates, sponges and hydroids were restricted by placing experimental trays on top of the raft for several days to dry out. Compared with controls, this resulted in increased oyster growth in experimental trays during the next 6 months. Oyster mortality and incidence of mudworm blisters (resulting from the polychaete Polydora websteri) were similar in both control and experimental trays during this period. For improved growth of trayed submerged oysters the optimum vertical distance between trays and the optimum density of oysters on trays need to be determined.     

Aspects of oyster culture in Strangford Lough,Northern Ireland

The hypothesis that mixed culture of C. gigas and O. edulis accelerates growth in the latter is disproved. A comparative assessment of scallop culturing lanterns, imported from Japan, and traditional wood and plastic oyster trays demonstrated the superiority of lantern grown oysters. Oysters grown by this method had higher dry meat condition indices and higher levels of glycogen, protein and fat than those grown by other methods. The results obtained are attributed to a better flow of water through lanterns compared with the other tray types investigated. A cost analysis of the three culture methods demonstrated the economic feasibility of scallop lanterns for oyster cultivation.     

The growth and survival of experimental batches of hatchery-reared spat of Ostrea edulis L. and Crassostrea gigas thunberg,using different methods of tray cultivation

The seasonal growth and survival of experimental batches of hatchery-reared spat of the European oyster (Ostrea edulis) and the Pacific oyster (Crassostrea gigas) was followed in North Wales during the period 1972 to 1975. Three methods of tray cultivation were compared. These were: (a) trays suspended from a raft in the Menai Straits, (b) trays supported on trestles on the foreshore of the Menai Straits, and (c) trays in a laboratory nursery system which were supplied with sea water from Conwy estuary via a pumped storage system.Growth of oysters in the nursery system was consistently inferior to that of oysters kept at either site in the sea. Although in several years there were significant differences between the growth of oysters on the raft and in trays supported by trestles, on average neither site consistently produced larger oysters.Survival was significantly better in the nursery system for both species of oyster, but no consistent differences in survival were observed between either site in the sea.Seasonal growth of both species of oyster as well as the mortality of O. edulis were positively related to temperature. It was concluded on the basis of cost that (i) cultivation in systems employing pumped sea water would not be viable in the long term, and (ii) raft cultivation would only be suitable for post-hatchery sized oysters up to about 5 g live weight.     

The capacity of oysters to regulate energy metabolism‐related processes may be key to their resilience against ocean acidification

Bivalve molluscs, such as oysters, are threatened by shifts in seawater chemistry resulting from climate change. However, a few species and populations within a species stand out for their capacity to cope with the impacts of climate change‐associated stressors. Understanding the intracellular basis of such differential responses can contribute to the development of strategies to minimise the pervasive effects of a changing ocean on marine organisms. In this study, we explored the intracellular responses to ocean acidification in two genetically distinct populations of Sydney rock oysters (Saccostrea glomerata). Selectively bred and wild type oysters exhibited markedly different mitochondrial integrities (mitochondrial membrane potential) and levels of reactive oxygen species (ROS) in their hemocytes under CO₂ stress. Analysis of these cellular parameters after 4 and 15 days of exposure to elevated CO₂ indicated that the onset of intracellular responses occurred earlier in the selectively bred oysters when compared to the wild type population. This may be due to an inherent capacity for increased intracellular energy production or adaptive energy reallocation in the selectively bred population. The differences observed in mitochondrial integrity and in ROS formation between oyster breeding lines reveal candidate biological processes that may underlie resilience or susceptibility to ocean acidification. Such processes can be targeted in breeding programs aiming to mitigate the impacts of climate change on threatened species.