Australia is known for its agriculture industry, and oyster farming is the key contributor to its economy and culture.
Thanks to the ideal water conditions and advanced farming techniques, you will find the world’s finest oysters here, making Australia a premium exporter of seafood. The main reason oyster farming is so successful along the pristine coastlines of South Australia, Tasmania and New South Wales is the water quality, which fosters the survival and growth of oyster seeds.
Maintaining water quality is a challenge, so we have advanced solutions like Hexcyl Systems. Designed to protect the seeds by providing them with an optimal environment for growth. The better the quality of water, the higher the seed’s survival rate.
Oyster Seed Survival and Water Quality
Oysters play a crucial role in maintaining the marine ecosystem and also provide other benefits, such as water filtering and supporting biodiversity. Oyster farming is also a valuable niche in the Australian economy, so we need a high-yield production.
Developing oyster seeds is an intricate process that begins at the spat stage. Oyster farmers make stringent efforts to ensure the survival of oyster seeds at this stage, which is when the oysters are very vulnerable and dependent on the environment.
So, to grow (rather, survive), they need clean water and other optimal conditions such as:
Saline water with 14 to 28 PPT salinity level.
Temperature ranging between 20-30 degrees Celsius.
Oxygenated water with dissolved oxygen level above 5 mg/L.
Optimal pH level ranging between 7.5 to 8.5.
The most significant challenges in oyster farming are the high temperature during the warm season and the acidic water. Which impact the survival of the seeds. Oyster seed is particularly vulnerable to environmental stressors during the early stages of growth. If given the optimal conditions, they will grow and thrive; otherwise, they die.
Common Water Quality Challenges in Oyster Farming
Maintaining water quality is a big challenge in oyster farming. Although water can be naturally productive, it is hard for oyster farmers to have any real control over the quality. Some key concerns about water quality include:
Pollution
Urban pollution is the leading cause of harmful chemicals released into the coastal waters where most of these oyster farms are located. These chemicals can cause hypoxia and toxic algae blooms. Which inhibit the oxygen levels in the environment and make it unsuitable for the seeds to grow.
Algae Blooms
Harmful algae blooms grow when excessive nutrients or chemicals are in the water. These make the water murky and reduce oxygen levels around the area, ultimately leading to the death of young oyster seeds.
Inconsistent Salinity
Then, many seasonal changes and external factors, such as excessive rains, rising freshwater levels, and river discharges, can again stress oyster seed production. These can limit seed growth and multiply oysters’ chances of acquiring diseases and dying.
Changing Seasons
The climate is rather unpredictable. We have extreme weather patterns and geographical diversity that make things harder to control. There are arid summers, and it can get quite wet in the winter, so the water quality doesn’t stay the same throughout the year, further complicating oyster farming.
Maintaining the ideal conditions for such a sensitive seed’s production becomes more challenging.
All these external conditions influence water quality, which can affect the growth rate of the seeds and increase the chances of them developing diseases or mass mortality. So, the key to successfully improving the production of oyster seeds and for successful farming is managing the water quality.
The Role of Farming Systems in Protecting Oyster Seeds
Today, we have innovative farming systems like Hexcyl Systems, which have unique and advanced solutions to keep the seed protected from the impact of the changing environment.
Since water quality changes everywhere, the system can enhance water flow and reduce marine fouling, giving the oyster seed an ideal environment for growth.
Hexcyl Systems Oyster Farming Cages
Hexcyl Systems Oyster Farming Cages are specifically made to manage the water flow so the oysters get constant access to nutrient rich water essential for growth and survival.
The baskets are made from high-quality, durable, UV-resistant materials to house the vulnerable oyster seed in a variety of harsh marine environments.
These products help minimise fouling so seeds can grow in an optimised environment where they get all the nutrients they need without any inhibition.
Monitoring and Managing Water Quality for Optimal Seed Survival
For a successful oyster farming experience, we need quick response solutions to all kinds of expected and unexpected conditions. Since the early stages are crucial for the seed to survive, it is very important to act proactively; otherwise, you can lose the entire yield.
That is why Hexcyl longlines are an effective management tool as they can be quickly adjusted to adapt to real-time conditions to ensure the seeds receive optimal growing conditions.
Hexcyl Systems farming equipment can also be paired with monitoring technology to track environmental changes and water quality. Monitoring of the marine environment can help growers initiate proactive management practices to ensure the seed’s survival in challenging conditions.
Choosing the Right Equipment for Better Seed Survival
Since water quality and conditions vary dramatically, we need the right farming equipment to support oyster growth and survival. Hexcyl Systems Cages are designed to provide an ideal growing surface as well as offering protection to oyster seed from predation all while maintaining excellent water flow. The addition of floatation paired with adjustable longlines has made significant advances in improving the shape and survival of oyster seed.
The cages can be adapted to be used in a variety of marine environments allowing farmers to use them in different configurations to maintain optimal conditions for the seeds to grow.
Conclusion
Water quality is crucial to oyster farming. The better the water quality and optimal conditions being met, the better the seeds will be able to survive and grow. Water quality also affects the seed’s disease resistance and viability.
That is why oyster farmers must use a high-quality farming system like Hexcyl Systems that maximise oyster productivity and yield.
Check out the complete range of Hexcyl Systems products and see how you can optimise oyster growth and survival. With the right equipment, you can proactively manage external conditions and enjoy a sustainable and productive harvest. Contact us today to find out more!