Growth of tray-cultured oysters ( Carssostrea virginica Gmelin) in Chesapeake Bay

Abstract

Growth rates of cultchless oysters raised in floating trays in a shallow tidal creek of Chesapeake Bay were examined. Growth of individuals from a population of Crassostrea virginica selectively inbred for fast growth was compared to growth of spat produced from the native parent stock. The oysters grew only during part of the year (July through October) and growth did not occur during the spring season even though the environmental conditions (temperature, salinity) were similar to those during the active growing season. All animals grew quickly in floating raft culture (10–15 mm/month) during the growing periods and at a relatively constant rate with respect to length. The selected animals exhibited significantly faster growth during both growth seasons examined in the study. The rates measured during the growing season suggest that oysters could be grown to market size in 6 months of continuous active growth.