Term of Award

Fall 2024

Degree Name

Master of Science in Biology (M.S.)

Document Type and Release Option

Thesis (open access)

Copyright Statement / License for Reuse

Creative Commons License
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 License.

Department

Department of Biology

Committee Chair

John Carroll

Committee Member 1

Daniel Gleason

Committee Member 2

Christopher Hintz

Abstract

Oyster growing is one of the oldest known forms of aquaculture, but this ancient practice has only recently entered Georgia’s waters on a commercial scale. With any burgeoning industry, many questions need to be answered to maximize productivity. In the case of oyster aquaculture, growers must maximize both economic and ecological productivity for the long-term success of the industry. Water quality is of particular concern for the health and wellbeing of cultured oysters with the possibility that certain husbandry decisions made by oyster growers could adversely affect the growth and condition of their oysters. This study examines the influence of stocking density and water quality on oyster production. Traditional oyster culture gear may create microhabitats of localized water quality that are more stressful than external ambient conditions, reducing the condition and growth of cultured oysters and thus decreasing the value of a grower’s stock. In collaboration with the Shellfish Research Lab on Skidaway Island, I analyzed these microscale influences by deploying water quality loggers inside floating oyster gear stocked at different densities of oysters and extracting water samples. I observed general trends that suggest the microhabitats created by culture gear are potentially more stressful than external conditions, but the high tidal flushing within the Skidaway estuary may be enough to mitigate these effects locally. Most indicator water quality parameters like chlorophyll content and dissolved oxygen are tied to oyster growth, and these metrics displayed negative trends as stocking density increased. Oyster growth and condition decreased as stocking density increased, suggesting that high stocking density may increase the quantity of oysters produced while reducing quality. Based on the results of this study, I recommend oyster growers in Georgia utilize floating subtidal oyster cages at a rough density of 150 oysters per bag to maximize the quantity and quality of oysters produced. With a better understanding of localized water quality conditions in and around oyster farms, farmers can yield oysters in a competitive and valuable market along the eastern seaboard.

OCLC Number

1478274052

Research Data and Supplementary Material

No

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