| Oyster
News |
| Preperation work for
2007 seeding is underway with net mending and equipment repair. |
| West
End Pond Water Quality Data |
| Salinity: |
31.0 ppt
|
| Dissolved Oxygen:
|
10.0 mg/L |
| Turbidity: |
n/a |
| Temperature: |
-1.0° C |
| (as
of 1/7/2007) |
|
|
|
|
American Oyster
Crassostrea virginicus
Range is from Newfoundland to to Texas.Oyster take on different
flavors due to the local water temperature and phytoplankton
type. Oysters tend to be cheaper per unit the south. Then,
as you move up the coast towards New England oysters become
higher in value.
What
it takes to bring you the best oysters in Buzzards Bay
Life Cycle of the Cuttyhunk Oyster®
- Spawning of Oysters in May with external fertilization.
- Free-swimming larve (10-14 days).
- Placed in settling tanks and collected on small pieces of shell.
- Placed in growing trays, feed on natural phytoplankton.
- First year growth up to 25mm.
- Second year, Oysters are graded, sized and maintained in off-bottom
aquaculture nets.
- Fast-growing Oysters are harvested 12 months later in their
second year.
- Slow-growing Oysters are harvested 2-3 years later.
Farm Cycle:
- 1 inch seed planted in April.
- 6 weeks later, Oysters are inspected and maintained as needed.
- Early July, Oysters are seived, sized, and re-netted.
- August - September, Nets are cleaned and maintained.
- Fall, Weekly harvest of Oysters as needed.
| West
End Pond Quick Facts |
| Temperture
Range: |
0-20° C |
| Average Pond
Depth: |
2 m |
| Growth Cycle:
|
April - November |
| Pond Size:
|
30 acres |
| Pond Type:
|
Daily semi-diurnal saltwater exchange. |
| Food Source:
|
Natural phytoplankton production. |
| Nutrient Source:
|
Natural runoff from surrounding land |
| Harvest Season:
|
June - February |
| Annual Harvest
Yeild: |
80,000 -100,000 Oysters |
|
| |
|
