Oyster Farming In Maine (Crassostrea virginica) Richard Clime, Bristol, Maine

Presentation Outline Geography Climate Oceanography Developmental History Current Methodology Marketing & Sales Problems & Solutions Future Concerns

Coastal Conditions for Maine Oyster Aquaculture Over 4000 miles undulating coastline. Sunken, formerly glaciated valleys. Cold winters, average snowfall ~60 in. Cool summers, rarely over 90 deg. F. Tidal range of 9-12 ft. - neap to spring. Tidal currents ~ 0.5 – 1.0 knots at half tide in most growing areas. Seawater temperatures Winter min.- minus 1.5 deg. C. Summer max.- 27 deg. C. Salinities ~ 20 – 31 ppt in estuaries. Chlorophyll A Spring/fall blooms ~5-10 microgr/L. August minima ~2 microgr/L.

Damariscotta River Estuary Sunken Arm of the Sea Origin of 75 % of Maine farmed oysters. Total acres under lease = 125 Shellfish acres for entire state = 720 Total number of leases = 24 Shellfish leases for entire state = 76 Annual production > 2.5 million oysters Production for state = 3.2 million oysters Expected to rise by >20% in 2008.

Long Lines Flat Oysters in Suspension 1974-1986 First Attempt Stacked Trays

Pearl Nets to Wooden Frame Trays Evolution of Surface Nursery Problems Piles in Corners Silt, Fouling Heavy Lift

Light Weight But… Losing the Battle Against Fouling Suspension Culture Lantern Nets Juveniles to Adults Light Weight But… Losing the Battle Against Fouling

New Approaches 1987-Present Changing the Oyster- Ostrea edulis to Crassostrea virginica Disease resistance Longer shelf life Winter hardiness Customer familiarity Changing Methods Enhanced efficiency Lower costs Larger crops Changing Sales Strategy Sell within North America Lower price, higher volume

Hatchery Production – Algal Feeds Maintaining Algal Cultures Batch Production of Algal Cells

Hatchery Production – Spawning & Larvae Straight Hinge Larvae Conditioning Selected Brood stock

Hatchery Production of Juveniles Feeding Post Set Juveniles in Downwellers Post Set Juveniles on Shell Chips

Floating Upwellers Advantages High flow rates Large juvenile capacity Fast, uniform growth Small area Easy maintenance

Floating Bag Nursery Bags Strings Attached to Parallel Long Lines Rapid Growth in Bags to 40-50 mm by October

Spreading Oysters on Sub tidal Lease – October & November Collecting juveniles from nursery

Small Boat Harvest by Dredge Hydraulically powered stern hoist Deep cycle battery powered winch

Small Boat Harvest by Dredge Details of Small Dredge Raft for Sorting and Washing of Dredged Oysters

Alternative Hand Harvesting Through Sea Ice Areas Where Dredges Hard to Maneuver

Preparing for Shipment Floating Storage of Newly Harvested Oysters Transferring Oysters from Boat to Truck

Marketing & Sales Strategies Brand Oyster- e.g. “Farmed Maine Pemaquid”. Distribution area- Eastern & Midwestern North America. Network- Wholesale distributor to metropolitan restaurant. Logistics- Boston as transport hub. Price by each/ sell by count. Availability- nine months April – December.

Problems & Solutions Reliable, timely hatchery production. Correct species for the market and the environment. Cost efficient, optimal growing methodology. Market recognition and acceptance. Juvenile oyster disease (Roseovarius). Biosecurity and best management protocols in place. Industry trade association/ R & D backing. Community support.

Present Trends & Future Challenges Consolidation of businesses, vertical integration. Maintain permanent selective breeding program. Determine biological/sociological carrying capacities. Be sustainable. Adapt to changing climate & expensive energy. Diversify on lease sites and in marketplace.

Deepest Appreciation Thank You To the Shellfish Association of Great Britain for your invitation and support which made my trip possible. Thank You