How Are Oysters Farmed? A Detailed Guide to Farming Methods and Techniques
SummaryBamboo stake farming: a relatively common oyster farming method, suitable for seabeds with a lot of soft mud and slower seawater flow, in which bamboo of a suitable size is inserted into the seabed. Longline farming: convenient, and can be done in open sea areas as well as offshore waters; the ropes need to be fixed deep in the seabed. Cement pillar farming: suitable for seabeds with relatively fast current, with low cost and good attachment results. Floating raft farming: in calm shallow seas, wood and bamboo are tied together and combined with floats to float on the sea surface.
1. Bamboo stake farming
1. This is currently a relatively common farming method, which means inserting bamboo into the seabed for farming. First the bamboo must be treated, then every 6 bamboo poles form a bundle, shaped overall like a funnel and fastened onto the seabed mud.
2. The length of the bamboo needs to be controlled at about 1.5 m, with a diameter of more than 10 cm. The part in contact with the seabed mud needs to be wrapped and reinforced with rope. It is generally suitable for farming on seabeds with more soft mud and slow seawater flow.
2. Longline farming
1. This is a relatively convenient farming method. The materials are rope and floats. It is generally suitable for farming in relatively open sea areas, and longline farming has a relatively high resistance to wind and waves, so it is also suitable for offshore farming.
2. The two ends of the rope need to be fixed deep in the seabed, and the middle can be used to farm oysters. The suitable width in the middle is 40-50 m. On both sides, according to the sea depth of the selected site, generally a rope is placed every 2 m and fitted with floats. The suitable length of the rope is about 3-5 m. Normally the ropes need to be checked frequently to see whether they have become tangled together.
3. Cement pillar farming
1. Using cement pillars for farming has the advantages of low cost and good attachment results, and they are bulky and not easily moved by seawater. The surface of the selected cement pillars should be as rough as possible, with a height of about 2 m and a diameter of 30 cm. Pillars of this specification will make the oysters' attachment stronger.
2. Before the cement pillars are placed on the seabed, they need to be left in muddy ground for a period of time. This method is called pillar conditioning, and it can provide very good nutrients for newly born oysters. During pillar conditioning, regular checks are needed, and any that have tipped over must be promptly set upright. Cement pillar farming is suitable for seabeds with relatively fast current.
4. Floating raft farming
1. The material for floating raft farming is wood and bamboo tied together, then combined with floats to float on the sea surface. The suitable raft specification is about 5×8 m. Too large a specification will affect the overall quality and yield of the oysters, while too small a specification also costs relatively more.
2. Generally, ropes can be used to fix it deep in the seabed to prevent it from drifting away with the waves. The two ends can also be connected with ropes, in case the seabed rope breaks and cannot be found. The spacing between two rafts is about 20 m. Generally, farming can be carried out in calm shallow seas.