Pacific oyster disease and mortality studies in California

• Main Authors: Katkansky, Stanley C., Warner, Ronald W.
• Format: Book
• Language: English
• Published: California Department of Fish and Game 1974
• Subjects: Management; Aquaculture; Biology; Morro; Pacific; Pacific oyster
• Online Access: http://aquaticcommons.org/678/; http://aquaticcommons.org/678/1/Technical_Report_1974_No._25_A.pdf

Investigation of Pacific oyster mortalities was carried out over a six-year period in major northern and central California oyster rearing areas. Effort was directed toward defining areas of high oyster mortality and determining possible etiologies of observed losses through monthly monitoring and sampling of experimental and commercial oyster populations in Morro Bay, Elkhorn Slough, Drakes Estero, Tomales Bay and Humboldt Bay. Hydrographic data was collected in all areas and a two year study of phytoplankton and water quality in Humboldt Bay was initiated to observe relationships with oyster mortality patterns. Research undertaken to develop methods to alleviate losses among Pacific oyster populations included an oyster seed source study, investigation of optimal oyster culturing techniques and preliminary efforts to develop a mortality resistant strain of oysters in Humboldt Bay. The cause of mortality among Pacific oyster populations in Humboldt Bay remains uncertain but a bacterial etiology correlated with elevated water temperatures is suspected. The best method of circumvention of losses appears to be the culturing of "domestic" seed sources on racks. (55pp.)