Oyster Farming: Bottom Culture Method

Back in my country of birth, Philippines, I raised oysters side by side with my finfishes (using the floating cage system). The tropical waters being warm, oysters grew fast. Compared to the two-year culture period in the pacific northwest area, it took only six months to grow the same size of oysters. We used only one method of farming: subtidal (always submerged in water) attached to collectors like bamboo poles, rim edges of auto tires, stringed oysters shells. To harvest, we only needed to pull out the stakes or pull in the rims and oyster ropes.

Oysters were raised the natural method. During the spawning season, we would put the collectors into the culture site and wait for the swimming spats (oyster frys) to attach. A month after they settle, their shapes would be evident and they are transferred to the grow out site, strong current and rich with algae varieties that the oysters will filter from the water to make into their food. Farming oysters needed very little human intervention.

I had the opportunity to visit the Moonstone Oyster farm in Point Judith, Rhode Island. Their oyster spats came from a hatchery and each one was given an indelible black mark on the upper shell. Out of curiosity, I inquired why that was needed. Oysters almost look the same and to make sure that an oyster is guaranteed to be the Moonstone variety, the special mark was set to distinguish it from the crowd.

 

At Point Judith, Moonstone oyster spats were first raised in net bags hanging from floating rafts. At a certain point they were transferred to the culture site and broadcasted to the sea bottom to grow for the next year-and-a-half. The bottom culture is the acceptable method to comply with common use interest. The method poses no obstacle to the recreational use of the upper column of the water body.

Harvest time involves dredging the sea bottom. Here's how it looked:

 

Comments

[montreal republique]

Please be cautious when eating especially when there is red tide coz it has toxins that is not good to our body. But oyster is very good especially when cooked by professional chef. The money you paid for is worth it.