7/11/2023 0 Comments Sieving oyster spatHow do I check the counts and assess viability and growth of the seed? Assessing Viability, Counts, and Growth Keep them out of direct sunlight, but let them slowly warm up in the shade before dividing them up and putting them in the water. It is important make sure the oysters warm up to the ambient water temperature before immersing them. If, depending on the time of year, the oysters are in the 50’s to high 60’s F, they should be fine. The goal in shipping is not to cool the seed way down, but rather prevent it from heating up in transit. It certainly wouldn’t hurt to use a thermometer, but if you don’t have one just make sure the seed is not touching the gel packs. How do I check the packaging and handle the seed when it arrives?Īs you open the package, note the temperature of the seed. By sampling the wettest oysters, we ensure that the count per gram will be lower than if we sampled the driest oysters at the top of the sieve. The average count per gram is calculated and the total required weight measured out. Replicate samples ranging from several tenths of a gram to several grams are taken from the very wettest part of the seed mass. We collect the oysters to be shipped on a sieve and allow excess moisture to drain from the seed. It has taken us many years to establish a weighing method that reliably yields at least the target number of oysters. We carefully pack the seed so it does not contact the gel packs which are on the bottom of the insulated shipping container. The oysters are wrapped in damp handiwipes, and placed into Ziploc bags with the corners nipped off to allow drainage. HOW DO YOU SHIP THE SEED?Įxcept for customers near enough to pick up their seed at the hatchery, we ship our seed using Fed Ex. We understand the vagaries of weather, and really do try to work with our seed customers so they are able to take proper care of the oysters when they arrive. If you don’t hear from us and you are ready, don’t hesitate to contact us. In many cases we will call you to see if you are ready to receive seed. DOWNLOAD SEED ORDER FORM HOW DO I SCHEDULE DELIVERY?Īs the time for delivery given on your order form approaches you should be in contact with us at the hatchery. Please mail your check and order form to: Mook Sea Farm, 321 State Route 129, Walpole, ME 04573. We do not accept seed orders without the deposit. Our preferred method is that you send a paper copy of your seed order form with your 30% nonrefundable deposit check. Don’t include freight, royalties, or license fees. Sign the form and send it in with a 30% deposit. Make sure that all of your contact information is correct and that you clearly identify the genetics of the seed you want shipped. How do I order seed?ĭownload an order form (or we can email one to you) and fill it out. Please reach out to to get on our wait-list. Single spats settle on these shell particles creating oysters that can be served on the half shell.: We have now reached our capacity on 2023 seed orders. Hatechers often grind old oyster shells and sieve to get shell particles about 1 mm in size. The growth rate is very rapid in optimum environmental conditions, and market size can be achieved in 18 to 30 months.Ī combination of environmental parameters including temperature, pH, salinity and availability of settlement strata affect when and where spats settle. After settlement, the larva metamorphoses into a juvenile spat. ![]() Once a Pacific oyster larva finds a suitable habitat, it attaches to it permanently using cement secreted from a gland in its foot. Over these weeks, larvae can disperse great distances by water currents before they metamorphose and settle as small spat. They can spend several weeks at this phase, which is dependent on water temperature, salinity and food supply. The larvae move through the water column via the use of a larval foot to find suitable settlement locations. Life History: The larvae of the Pacific oyster are planktotrophic, and are about 70 µm at the prodissoconch 1 stage.
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