Improving pacific oyster (Crassostrea gigas, Thunberg, 1793) production in Mediterranean coastal lagoons: Validation of the growth model “ShellSIM” on traditional and novel farming methods

• Published in: Aquaculture
• Main Authors: Graham, P, Brundu, G, Scolamacchia, M, Giglioli, A, Addis, P, Artioli, Y, Telfer, T, Carboni, S
• Format: Article in Journal/Newspaper
• Language: English
• Published: University of Stirling 2020
• Subjects: Pacific; Crassostrea gigas; Pacific oyster
• Online Access: http://plymsea.ac.uk/id/eprint/8895/; http://plymsea.ac.uk/id/eprint/8895/1/Graham%26al_Aquaculture_2019_modellingOyster_Sardinia.pdf; https://doi.org/10.1016/j.aquaculture.2019.734612

Bivalve farming is a major European aquaculture activity, representing 48.5% of total biomass produced. Italy is one of the largest consumers of oysters but local production does not meet the market demand. Italy has approximately 384,000 ha of shallow lagoons in its coastal area, already devoted to extensive aquaculture activities, which could also represent potential locations for Pacific oyster (Crassostrea gigas, Thunberg, 1793) farming. The aim of this study is to enhance Pacific oyster farming in shallow coastal lagoons by testing novel farming technologies and validating an existing bioenergetic growth model (ShellSIM). Commercial performance of Pacific oysters and associated environmental parameters were monitored in two Sardinian coastal lagoons (San Teodoro and Santa Gilla, Italy). Oyster growth and survival were compared during a production cycle for two rearing systems: traditional systems (floating bags or lanterns) and Ortac units. The latter has not been previously tested in coastal lagoons. Measured performances were compared with ShellSIM predictions to evaluate the model's ability to predict growth and the potential production in other coastal lagoons. Results showed that at the end of a six months cycle the oysters mean weight and Condition Index were significantly higher (p value