Since the release, the hatchery has made additional spat sales to local oyster farming companies, who will further grow the oysters to market size. “Seeing the first release of our native oyster spat into the ocean is a huge milestone for our team and hatchery and is just the start of many releases we hope to do alongside restoration projects at a global scale.” Not only does this ensure that our products are given the very best chance of wild survival, but it also mitigates the risk of adding further diseases to our seas. OSH said the project aligns with the hatchery’s mission “to become the market-leading producer of the highest quality native oyster spat” and supports its continued focus on aiding the restoration of Europe’s shellfish stocks, which have fallen dramatically.ĭr Nik Sachlikidis, Managing Director of the Cadman Capital Group’s Aquaculture portfolio, of which Orkney Shellfish Hatchery forms part of, said: “Since inception in 2017, we have invested heavily into the latest hatchery technologies and bio-secure systems in a bid to ensure we only produce the highest quality shellfish products. The latest release, which saw more than 11,000 of Orkney Shellfish Hatchery’s land-grown, premium native oyster spat planted into the ocean on the west coast of Scotland, was orchestrated by a Scottish restoration project dedicated to replenishing depleting shellfish stocks in Scotland’s seas. Orkney Shellfish Hatchery (OSH) is a multi-species aquaculture hatchery supplying premium shellfish products to the restoration and farming markets, To receive more information on oyster seed collection or the purchase of hatchery seed, please give us a call or send us a message using the form below (or to the right).The first stock of native flat oysters from Orkney Shellfish Hatchery has been released into the ocean as part of a local restoration project. Just as an Upweller, the Downweller is designed to aid in the growth of juvenile oysters. The downward flow of water provides essential nutrients for the setting oysters. This promotes rapid growth of the spat.Īlong with providing essential nutrients, a FLUPSY can protect oyster seed from predators, competition from other shellfish and biofouling in the early stages of development.Ī Downweller System provides hatchery operations with a clean substrate and proper environment nylon mesh, finely crushed shell (microcultch) or another suitable material. In a FLUPSY, the seed sit in silos and are fed a constant flow of naturally occurring nutrients called phytoplankton from the upwell of water that the structure generates. To aid in the growth of juvenile oysters before they’re ready to be transferred to grow-out equipment, producers are beginning to adopt the use of an Upweller or FLUPSY (Floating Upweller System). Upwellers (FLUPSY) and Downweller Systems

Most hatcheries are now offering triploid oyster seed, given the benefits. They can be harvested at any time, including the summer months (depending on local conditions). Triploids do not spawn and continue to grow throughout the year. Invented in 1979 by Standish Allen, triploid oysters have three sets of chromosomes which making them sterile. Technological advances have been made to develop non-spawning oysters. Using hatchery spat allows oyster Farmers to cut down on labour costs while beginning the growing process with healthy, certified seed that are resistant to disease. Hatchery spat are grown in laboratory conditions and fed nutrients that can enhance growth. In most all situations, the collector is covered in a thin layer of a cement, lime and sand mixture to assist in setting. The use of these methods is subject to an oyster Aquaculturist’s own personal preference in collection, depending on the conditions in the area. Oyster spat collector trays are used primarily on tidal flats to collect seed in the intertidal zone. Long lines and raft culture are other methods of collection. More modern methods of seed collection include using oyster (Chinese) hats, coupelles, and modified drain pipes. Although still widely used, these methods of tradition collection leave the oysters susceptible to predators in the wild and have made way for more advanced options for oyster seed collection. They have been a mainstay in Australian and Japanese oyster farming for centuries. Oyster sticks are another method of traditional seed collection in the wild as well as in hatcheries. These oyster beds are most often situated in an intertidal zone to prevent fouling and strengthen the abductor muscles of the oysters. Over time, spat (oyster seed) settle on the empty oyster shells, maturing to a harvestable size. On-bottom traditional seed collection includes the spreading of cultch, recycled oyster shells, on the sea bed. Oyster seed collection can occur in a variety of ways.

Spat oyster