| Title | Update on research concerning the summertime mortality of the Pacific oyster |
| Publication Type | Magazine Article |
| Year of Publication | 2005 |
| Authors | Suhrbier, A. D., D. Cheney, R. Elston, C. Friedman, F. Griffin, C. Langdon, J. Davis, and A. Christy |
| Secondary Title | Journal of Shellfish Research |
| Volume | 24 |
| Number | no.1 |
| Pagination | p.336 |
| Date Published | 2005 |
| Call Number | OSU Libraries: Guin SH370.A1 J61 |
| Keywords | Pacific oyster = Crassostrea gigas, shellfish |
| Abstract | Pacific oyster (Crassostrea gigas) summer mortalities are a recurring problem in the United States, Japan, France, and Mexico. During the 2002 to 2003 growing season, for example, farmers in Carlsbad, California; Netarts Bay, Oregon; and Willapa Bay and south Puget Sound, Washington, reported up to a 50% loss of market-ready oysters occurring over a brief 2-3 wk span. Research findings indicate genetic pedigree, ploidy, culture practice, and prior exposure to environmental stress have varying influences on the expression of the summer mortality disease in Pacific oysters. The ability of oysters to survive episodes of summer mortality is in part genetically determined and perhaps enhanced through selective breeding of families showing high survival traits. Pedigreed lines of oysters with different genetic histories, produced by the Oregon State University Molluscan Broodstock Program (MBP), displayed markedly differential survival, yields, and growth rates. An ongoing Western Regional Aquaculture Center (WRAC) project is exploring an alternative approach that utilizes crossbreeding, the crossing of inbred lines of oysters to produce "hybrids." Initial evaluations of hybrid lines grown out in Hood Canal, Washington, in 2001 to 2002 suggest exceptional performance. Triploid and diploid oysters appear to have different optimal environments. The definition of their respective requirements and responses is essential for maximizing their survival and productivity. Field experiments and grower observations have demonstrated sporadic high triploid mortalities and wide variation in survival compared with diploid oysters planted at the same locations. |
| Notes | Abstract only. "During the 2002 to 2003 growing season, for example, farmers in ... Netarts Bay, Oregon ... reported up to a 50% loss of market-ready oysters occurring over a brief 2-3 wk span." |
| Label | 1730 |
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