Spat production, nursery culture and physiology of populations of the Chilean oyster (Ostrea chilensis) in northern New Zealand

Abstract

The purpose of this thesis was to investigate the response of northern Ostrea chilensis populations to two key aquaculture production activities (spat production and ongrowing) within the Auckland region of New Zealand; and to describe crucial biological parameters with relevance to aquaculture (feeding, stress physiology, and pest control). The production of spat from both wild populations and hatchery broodstock was investigated. Results indicated that hatchery production of spat has greater commercial feasibility because experimental collection methods from wild broodstock populations consistently yielded low and variable numbers of spat. Manipulation of water temperature when conditioning broodstock in the hatchery revealed that warmer water temperatures (20°C) advanced the gametogenic cycle in O. chilensis. Additionally, unlike many other species of cultured oysters, it appears that conditioning broodstock of O. chilensis may best be undertaken at low water temperatures (10 and 15°C).... Assessing the aquaculture potential of an oyster species requires a multifaceted approach and the combined findings of this thesis indicate great promise for the development of northern O. chilensis populations for commercial aquaculture.