Open AccessCulture of the Mangrove Oyster, Crassostrea rhizophorae GUILDING, IN PUERTO RICO
Author(s) -
Watters Kenneth W.,
Prinslow Thomas E.
Publication year - 1975
Publication title -
proceedings of the annual meeting ‐ world mariculture society
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.655
H-Index - 60
eISSN - 1749-7345
pISSN - 0164-0399
DOI - 10.1111/j.1749-7345.1975.tb00020.x
Subject(s) - mangrove , oyster , salinity , estuary , fishery , environmental science , eastern oyster , oceanography , ecology , crassostrea , biology , geology
Experiments to determine commercial feasibility of mangrove oyster culture in Puerto Rico have been underway since early 1973. Most of the work has been carried out in Rincon Lagoon, a rich mangrove‐lined estuary subject to periodic salinity fluctuations. The bulk of commercial oyster harvesting on the island is presently carried out in this lagoon. Initial experiments consisted of monitoring growth of oysters in bags in several locations. Cultch strings made of cut‐up tire casings were then suspended from two 3 times 4 m rafts, utilizing natural set from oysters growing on mangroves. Although a reasonable set and good growth was obtained, this method was very cumbersome. A revised method of cultching, consisting of 46 times 71 cm frames suspended from rafts, was used. The frames, utilizing several materials such as concrete‐coated plywood and plastic sheeting, showed sustained mean growth rates of 0.7 mm per day, with maximum individual rates of 1.4 mm per day. A program monitoring spatfall, salinity, and temperature was also carried out in an effort to determine the timing of natural spatfall in the lagoon. It appeared that spatfall closely followed drops in salinity.