The effect of aquaculture gear on the growth and shape of the oyster Crassostrea virginica during a “finishing period” in Chesapeake Bay, USA

Thomas, L. M.; Allen, Standish K.; Plough, Louis V.

doi:10.1016/j.aquaculture.2019.03.061

Cited by 16 publications

(21 citation statements)

References 28 publications

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“…With the increase of cultured oyster's availability and the refining of their culture methods, the actual marketable L/W ratio for the Eastern oysters is now smaller, being 1.6 or lower (Savoie 2018, personal communication). The decrease of the L/W ratio for Eastern oyster seems to indicate that the industry moves towards the adoption of the same standard shape than the Pacific oyster, as suggested by Thomas et al (2019).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 51%

“…Classification of shape is mainly determined based on ratios of the length divided by the width or depth. Over time, the most desirable shape for the Pacific oyster ( Crassostrea gigas ) has been evaluated to be the length‐to‐width‐to‐depth ratio of 3:2:1, which means a L/W ratio of 1.5 and a L/D ratio of 3.0 (Brakes et al, 2003; Thomas et al, 2019). Not so long ago, the sought‐after product was not yet available in large quantities for this species still at the initial stages of husbandry practices; therefore, the shape was a relatively secondary trait to optimize.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Rearing density: A tool to shape Eastern oysters ( Crassostrea virginica )?

Haché

Bardon‐Albaret²

2021

Aquaculture Research

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The cultivated Eastern oyster (Crassostrea virginica) is sold in a niche market seeking rounder and thicker oysters. While most of the research conducted on optimal rearing densities focuses on survival and length growth, the present study looks at the oyster's shape. Three initial length classes were used for this study and reared in floating bags at different densities. The effects of the tested rearing densities were more pronounced on oyster shape than on length growth. In the smaller oysters, the three lower densities produced the rounder shape while thicker ones were obtained with the 500 densities. For the medium oysters, rounder and thicker shape was obtained with the two lower densities. The shape of the larger oysters was not influenced by the tested densities. This study showed that there was significant impact of rearing densities on smaller and medium oysters’ growth and shape, while only length growth of larger ones was impacted by this factor. Based on these findings, oyster farmers should target rearing density of 500 oysters per bag for the 20–35 mm stage, 250 oysters for the 35–50 mm oysters and 200 oysters for the larger ones (50–65 mm). The latest recommendations are based on technical considerations.

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Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 51%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Rearing density: A tool to shape Eastern oysters ( Crassostrea virginica )?

Haché

Bardon‐Albaret²

2021

Aquaculture Research

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“…In the farming industry, oysters have been conditioned for fattening, greening, such as the famous coloured‐meat oysters from Marennes‐Oléron Bay in France, and shape (Soletchnik et al . ; Thomas ). Conditioning oysters for shell shape as a final stage of the culture, usually a time between reaching a suitable shell size and the harvest for sale, is routinely performed in the Pacific coast of United States (Thomas ).…”

Section: Husbandry Practicesmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…; Thomas ). Conditioning oysters for shell shape as a final stage of the culture, usually a time between reaching a suitable shell size and the harvest for sale, is routinely performed in the Pacific coast of United States (Thomas ). Oysters are grown in two distinct places as subsequent aquaculture phases: first the grow‐out is performed in subtidal zones in suspended culture, and then oysters are transferred to the intertidal area for bottom culture, where food is also usually readily available and wave energy is high, enabling ‘hardening’, cupping and fattening.…”

Section: Husbandry Practicesmentioning

confidence: 99%

Seeking the perfect oyster shell: a brief review of current knowledge

Mizuta

Wikfors

2018

Reviews in Aquaculture

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Current trends in the seafood market indicate increased demand for within-shell oysters, associated with increasing popularity of oyster bars. As this specialized, demanding market increases globally, there is strong incentive to improve quality. In this context, the manipulation of oyster shell traits through aquaculture as a means of improving oyster quality is timely and promising in terms of marketing. Several oyster shell characteristics, most especially shape, measured as length (L), width (W) and depth (D), result from a combination of three factors: genetics, environmental condition to which the oyster is exposed and husbandry practices. Although breeding programmes have targeted several important commercial traits, selection for shell traits has not been widely performed. Additionally, accumulated knowledge of the effects of environmental conditions and farming methods on shell characteristics exists at a local level, but as such, it is not always validated with scientific data. The existing local knowledge and practices, however, are of extreme importance for the improvement and adaptation of the farming sector to market demands. Current knowledge about the genetic, environmental and husbandry effects on shell and related aquaculture practices for manipulation of shell appearance and robustness in commercially important oysters of the Genus Crassostrea is compiled here. As the topic has not been well documented in the academic field, information from scientific articles was complemented by technical reports and commercial sources. A combination of aquaculture practices is needed to produce oysters of acceptable shape, thickness, cleanliness and colour, although suitable shell characteristics may vary with different markets.

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“…Oyster growers contend with variable estuarine conditions by adapting culture methods ( Thomas et al., 2019 ). One culture method adopted for oyster grow-out is elevation off-bottom on lines or in mesh cages, even in shallow areas where on-bottom culture is feasible.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%