The Olympia oyster South Slough NERR scientists are currently revisiting a project to help re-establish a native oyster in the slough. The Olympia oyster has been a recorded finding in Archaeological Pre-European Coos Indian shell middens. It is believed that the oysters could not sustain themselves due to natural changes in the environment. Fast-forward and the Olympia oyster shows up in the Slough again by way of import ship ballasts. ODFW and OIMB graduate students created a study area and oyster bed for the new population to thrive. Similar to other bivalves, oysters send out sperm and egg into the water column. After fertilization, the young oyster drifts until mature enough to attach to the oyster bed or other surface. The initial scientists used oyster shells to create a mock bed for the oysters to attach. Now, it is time to check and see if their efforts were successful and make a plan for the future. The age of the oyster determines their ability to contribute to the bed. A population of both mature oysters capable of reproduction and a population of young recruits are essential for colony survival. The density of the bed and its elevation in the water column are important for stable sediment in the tidal plane. The oysters also filter the water column improving clarity and health. Current field assessments are underway to determine the survival, growth, and recruitment rates of “Oly”. Day 37: U__ #SouthSlough40
Posted on: Sat, 02 Aug 2014 02:05:00 +0000
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