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Intensive and Extensive Oyster Aquaculture A.J. Erskine Bevans Oyster Company Cowart Seafood Corporation July 6 th, 2012 CORPORATION COWART SEAFOOD

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VIRGINIA BEACH BEVANS COWART ATLANTIC OCEAN CHESAPEAKE BAY Low salinity ~10-14ppt Lower disease mortality compared to higher salinity regions Potomac River

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OUTLINE Why aquaculture? Development Dual approach Future

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REASONING Readily available local product Protection from cow-nose ray predation Improved shucking yield Commercial-scale volume for shucking at specific times of the year

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PHASES Phase I : Commercial-scale development of seed nursery for intensive culture Phase II : Mechanization of nursery and development/mechanization of grow-out system for intensive culture. Development of extensive culture system. Phase III : Design and implementation of commercial- scale hatchery

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OYSTER AQUACULTURE Intensive (containerized, protected, single seed): - high labor - high cost - high return Extensive (planted loose, clustered seed): - low labor - low cost - low return

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INTENSIVE AQUACULTURE Set larvae on finely ground shell Plant loose in cages Stock in nursery/FLUPSY 14 -21day larval period

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FLoating UPweller SYstem (FLUPSY)

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CULTCHLESS SEED OYSTERS Oyster larvae obtained directly from hatchery (triploid) 4-8 weeks in FLUPSY to one inch in size Planted in seed cages Transferred to grow out cages in early spring Maintenance coincides with splitting/harvesting Harvest within 12-18 months

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EXTENSIVE AQUACUTLURE Traditional harvest Plant on bottom Set larvae on shells 14-21 day larval period

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CULTCHED SEED OYSTERS Oyster larvae obtained directly from hatchery (diploid/triploid) Set on whole oyster shells in large tanks Held in tanks for ~10-14 days Planted loose on bottom; no maintenance Harvest between 18-24 months

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Phase III--Hatchery

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Future Continue to expand intensive and extensive operations Continue to refine hatchery operation Management of nuisance speciescownose ray