Longline cultured oysters have a sturdier shell and firmer meats than suspension tray raised oysters because the longline does allow for more interaction with the environment and requires more tenacity for the oyster to remain attached to the line whereas cage oysters simply sit there. But sometimes the lines are suspended vertically in deep water. This suspension method is usually done horizontally and staked about one to two feet above the bottom in an intertidal region. Longline culture is a variation of off bottom culture where long ropes with seedling oysters attached are suspended. Examples of rack & bag cultured oysters include: Chelsea Gem, Hawk’s Point, and Jorstad. However, if the oyster is raised entirely this way then they are pampered and their shells are brittle which makes them difficult to shuck without breaking. They develop a deeper cup than beach cultured oysters. They also do not have to filter as much sand & mud in order to get nutrients, thus they grow faster. Oysters raised by the rack & bag method are protected from predators and do not become cramped for space as they grow. Rack & Bag cultured oysters (also called On Bottom Cages) are grown in mesh cages or bags which are generally staked about one to two feet off the bottom. Examples of beach cultured oysters include: Bald Point, Dosewallips, Fanny Bay, Marrowstone, and Totten Virginica. And their ability to close tightly, coupled with their hard shells, gives them a longer shelf life. They have hard, sturdy shells which shuckers like to work with. Because of this “tough” life, beach raised oysters are hearty. These oysters are accustomed to fighting the tides, clamping tightly shut during low tides to preserve their “liquor” and to protect themselves against predators. Bottom or Beach Cultured Oystersīeach/Bottom Cultured Oysters, also called Intertidal Cultured Oysters, are oysters which are raised on tidal beaches with sandy or rocky bottoms. Tumbling is a variation of Suspension Cultivation where suspended oysters are tumbled to increase shell strength and meat texture. Bag to Beach is a combination of Rack & Bag cultivation & Beach cultivation. Two additional variations are Bag to Beach and Tumbling. Each method imparts different qualities to the oyster flavor profile, texture, and shell characteristics. Beach or Bottom Cultured (or Intertidal Cultured), Rack & Bag Cultured, Longline Cultured, Suspended Tray or Suspended Lantern Cultured. There are four main techniques for raising oysters in North America. That extra nutrition allows it to reach maturity before many harmful diseases and organisms can affect or destroy it.Oyster Beds in Le Canon, France by Marie T. A cultured oyster grows faster than a bottom-raised oyster because it can take advantage of the greater food and oxygen supply in the upper levels of the water. Unlike their “bottom-raised” counterparts, the selection process begins in the hatchery and continues throughout the life of the oysters, culminating at harvest. The technique alone allows for a more selective crop. If farmed safely (that is, not from polluted areas), oysters will not only filter out the dead algae that once inhabited the water, they’ll also make the water cleaner for consumption.Ĭultured oysters (that is, farmed oysters) are better. In fact, did you know that a single oyster can filter up to 50 gallons of water a day? Whether you are growing oysters to return to their natural habitat or to enjoy at a family barbecue, you are doing your part to restore the oyster population and filter the water. The population of oysters have been decimated by disease, poor water quality and overfishing. In many parts of the US, locals have discovered the satisfaction of setting up oyster gardens to grow their own oysters and help to clean the water. However for those that live around water there can be a completely different meaning to gardening. To many, home gardening is simply planting a few tomatoes and cucumbers in the backyard. Welcome to Zapco Aquaculture Oyster Gardening Supplies
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