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NOAA Fisheries Alaska Fiscal Year 2021 Aquaculture Accomplishments
This report highlights the recent work being done by the Alaska Regional Office and Alaska…
Pacific Oyster
Pacific Oyster
Crassostrea gigas
Also Known As
Japanese oyster, Miyagi oyster, Pacific cupped oyster
Quick Facts
Region
West Coast
About the Species
U.S. farmed Pacific oysters are a smart seafood choice because they are sustainably grown and harvested under U.S. state and federal regulations.
Environmental Impact
Oysters provide net environmental benefits by removing excess nutrients and improving water quality.
Feeds
Growing oysters requires no feed – they filter phytoplankton directly from the water column.
Farming Methods
Oysters are grown in tidal areas. They can be grown directly on the beach bottom or in mesh bags, trays or cages that are either anchored in the water column or floated on rafts.
Human Health
Shellfish toxins and bacteria occur naturally in the environment and can cause foodborne illnesses. State and federal regulations require monitoring of farmed oysters to ensure they are safe to eat.
Appearance
- Can reach up to 10 inches in length.
- The shell is elongated, thick, rough and sometimes sharp. The inside of the shell is white to off/white with purple streaks.
- The shell has a “cupped” shape to it, giving rise to its alternate name “Pacific cupped oyster.”
Biology
- Are of the shellfish family. Like mussels, clams and scallops they are bivalve mollusks, and have a hinged shell.
- Adults are sessile – they stay in one place – and inhabit both intertidal and subtidal areas.
- Have fast growth rates and high reproduction rates.
- First mature as males, then later develop female reproductive capabilities.
- Each female can produce between 50 and 200 million eggs during a spawning event.
Fishery Management
- Permitting for shellfish aquaculture is governed by federal, state and local governments.
- The federal agencies involved are NOAA, the Army Corps of Engineers, U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service, U.S. Department of Agriculture, the Environmental Protection Agency, the Food and Drug Administration, the Bureau of Ocean Energy Management, and the Coast Guard.
- Shellfish farms must adhere to federal regulations including those in the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation & Management Act, the Endangered Species Act, the National Environmental Policy Act and the Clean Water Act.
- Information on shellfish aquaculture permitting can be found in the Shellfish Growers Guide.
- A variety of shellfish aquaculture tools, including maps and models, are available to coastal managers. //
Featured News
Oysters in Alaska. Credit: Alaska Department of Natural Resources
In some places, oysters are farmed intertidally and live out of the water for a time at low tide. These shellfish are raised in mesh bags and open to filter feed during high tide. Here, a NOAA Fisheries aquaculture coordinator visits an intertidal farm. Photo: NOAA Fisheries
Scientists monitor a reef with healthy oysters as part of a restoration effort. Photo: Oyster Recovery Partnership