Growing eastern oyster (Crassostrea virginica) glued to strings in an exposed culture site vs. a sheltered culture site in Chaleurs Bay, NB

摘要

The feasibility of culturing the eastern oyster (Crassostrea virginica) using a modified French string technique at an exposed environment was compared to culturing them at a sheltered site. The study was performed in terms oyster growth, survival andcondition index and océanographie parameters of culture sites. The modified French string technique consists of gluing oysters in clusters of three with a special cement mixture on stings whichare then suspended horizontally within a rebar frame. The exposed site, (two depths), was located near Stonehaven NB and the sheltered site was in Caraquet Bay NB. Both sites are located in Chaleurs Bay, NB where north-east and south-west currents dominant. Current velocities were 25 X greater at the exposed site than at the sheltered site with averages of 15.3 cm/s and 0.6 cm/s, respectively. Oysters grown at the sheltered site had a significantly greater growth rate than those grown at the exposed site. However, in the fall (September) the condition index of oysters grown at the exposed site was greater than those cultured at the sheltered site.