Publication Abstract

Growing hatchery-reared Pacific oyster, Crassostrea gigas, to marketable size in trays - observations on costed small-scale and rough-handling trials

Growing hatchery-reared Pacific oyster, Crassostrea gigas, to marketable size in trays - observations on costed small-scale and rough-handling trials

B.E. Spencer, D.B. Edwards and P.F. Millican

Small hatchery-reared Pacific oysters (Crassostrea gigas), 2 mm in size, were grown to marketable size (75 g) solely in trays to determine the costs of equipment and labour involved. Almost 50% of the oysters survived and of these ca. 60% were of marketable size after 4 years. Survival was about twice that of Pacific oysters cultivated, in an earlier experiment, in trays for 1 year and then on ground layings for a further 3 years. Since the cost of rearing the oysters in both experiments were about half of their final values, profitability was related to survival and, therefore, was doubled when the oysters were grown solely in trays. Observations on aspects of damage caused by rough handling showed that simulated grading for 2 min in air severely affected growth and survival.

Reference:

B.E. Spencer, D.B. Edwards and P.F. Millican, 1992. Growing hatchery-reared Pacific oyster, Crassostrea gigas, to marketable size in trays - observations on costed small-scale and rough-handling trials. Aquaculture, 106: 261-274.

B.E. Spencer*, D.B. Edwards* and P.F. Millican*

Aquaculture, 106: 261-274