💡 Bivalve mollusks (clams, oysters, mussels, scallops) are high in both animal protein and consumer demand. The Portuguese oyster, Crassostrea angulata, is one of the highest in-demand species among warm-water farmed bivalve mollusks. To increase the yield of this Portuguese oyster, research was conducted to evaluate the effects of culture conditions(stocking density, water depth, and aquaculture gear) on the oyster in both nursery and grow-out phases.

📌 Research Highlights:
▶  Total mollusk aquaculture production currently accounts for 21.3% (17.5 million tons) of total aquaculture production, with the Crassostrea angulata and other oysters accounting for 6 million tons.
▶ High stocking density in the nursery phase reduced the survival rate, but was an advantage to the growing spats, or spawned larvae fixed on a growing surface.
▶ Low stocking density in the grow-out phase proved beneficial to the survival, growth and overall yield when paired with lantern nets/rope culture and shallow water.

🎯 This study concluded that stocking density and water depth had major implications on the survival of the Crassostrea angulata in both nursery and grow-out phases. The results from this study can guide future the breeding of mollusks in aquaculture.

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