Oyster Study

Indoor Rearing of the Eastern Oyster (Crassostrea virginica) within a Recirculation Biofloc Aquaculture System

The American Eastern Oyster’s (Crassostrea virginica) wild population numbers are in sharp decline due to water quality and disease. This spells disaster for both the American Oyster farmer and consumer as Crassostrea virginica is the most consumed oyster in the United States. The American Oyster’s presence along American coastal waters are the basis of important reef systems and water filtration. The overall goal is to test the feasibility of rearing American Eastern Oysters in a Recirculating Biofloc Aquaculture System. This system should reduce/eliminate losses or reduced quality of oyster stock affected by environmental factors, predators, natural disasters, and disease. As a result, oysters reared in this system should provide a higher quality end product and as a corollary allow the farmer to demand a higher price point.

Amount Requested: $27,000

Principal Investigator: Chandler Glover