How Are Oysters Farmed? A Detailed Guide to Farming Methods and Key Technical Points

There are four oyster farming methods in total: the stake method, the hanging method, the horizontal suspension method and the floating raft method. The first three are all farmed in the intertidal zone, where they can get sunlight at low tide, while the last one is farmed in deep water all year round.

How Are Oysters Farmed

1. The Stake Method

The earliest practice is to tie oyster shells directly onto bamboo strips split in half and stick them into the beach, letting oyster spat attach naturally. It saves cost and labour, but growth is slow and the returns are low, so few people use it today.

2. The Horizontal Suspension Method

Bamboo is used as the base posts, with two rows of crossbars added, and strings of oysters are hung horizontally between the crossbars. It is suitable for use on relatively shallow intertidal beaches, about one metre deep.

3. The Hanging Method

Again, base posts are erected first, then bamboo or plastic pipes are used on top to build a rectangular grid, with strings of oysters hung vertically, perpendicular to the sea current, increasing their chances of feeding. The water depth in the farming area is deeper than with the horizontal suspension method, mostly in inner bays and tidal channels.

4. The Floating Raft Method

Polystyrene foam is used directly as floats, connected horizontally in the middle with thick ropes, and then several strings of oysters are hung vertically along the thick ropes. Also known as the longline method, the hanging depth is relatively deep, reaching up to 3 storeys high. It is more prone to damage from flatworms.