Effect of an immersed screen on the morphological characteristics and growth performance of oysters

Description

This project will look at oyster sorting technologies to help reduce damage to oyster fringes and to help reduce the stress and mortality of oysters during the sorting and selection process Adjustments were made to a screen system developed for sorting scallops to use an oscillatory motion and a stream of water to advance the oysters along a mesh screen when sorting them into different size groups. Previous technology using a vibrating screen to make the oysters hop along the screen found that they bounce on the mesh. The oscillating flow of water effectively drives the oysters towards the sorting mechanism. Preliminary results for the immersed sieve are very promising.

This project will examine the effect of this new technology on the morphological and physiological characteristics of the oyster. The approach here will be to compare the standard sieve with the immersed sieve by measuring:

1. erosion of the oyster fringes;
2. oyster survival rates; and,
3. growth performance.

Program Name

Aquaculture Collaborative Research and Development Program (ACRDP)

Year(s)

2010 - 2011

Ecoregion(s)

Atlantic: Gulf of Maine, Scotian Shelf

Principal Investigator(s)

Luc Comeau
Email: Luc.Comeau@dfo-mpo.gc.ca