![]() The first sorting operation in this growth cycle occurs when juvenile oysters are still under a millimeter in size, after spending about two weeks in filtered seawater in large "downweller" tanks, with regular feedings of cultured algae. Where oysters naturally clump together, AIC's methodology yields individual oyster "singles" suitable for the half-shell market. After two to three weeks, the larvae metamorphose into juvenile oysters called "spat." The growth cycle from spat to seed oysters takes several weeks to several months, depending on their intended size. Fertilized eggs become microscopic oyster larvae, which are raised in filtered, sterilized seawater in 1,500 gal (5,678 l) culture tanks. While natural oyster populations in the Delaware Bay spawn in late June or early July, at the AIC broodstock (adult oysters which produce baby oysters) are moved into temperature-controlled tanks in January, given plenty of microalgae food, and are ready to reproduce by late February. They are also used to restore natural oyster populations or natural ecosystems, and for research. Seed oysters are small oysters, about 2–25 mm (0.8–1 in.) long, provided primarily to oyster growers for the half-shell market. The facility has been producing seed oysters from this strain since 2008. The Eastern Oyster ( Crassostrea virginica) is among the shellfish species successfully cultured at the AIC using a micro-algae diet. Seed oyster production - mimicking and accelerating nature With one operator now completing each day's sorting in less than two hours, the equipment paid for itself in the first season.Īs the leading research and education hub for New Jersey's aquaculture community, the AIC studies and teaches methods of commercially raising seafood, benefiting a wide range of stakeholders - from aquaculture entrepreneurs and restoration specialists, to governmental resource managers and non-governmental organizations, to the fishing industry.Īmong AIC’s projects is mass culturing of micro-algae using algal photo-bioreactors to increase yields of biochemical compounds with high potential value for food and pharmaceutical applications, as well as for shellfish (i.e., oysters) cultured for human consumption. (762 mm) diameter VIBROSCREEN circular vibratory screener manufactured by Kason Corporation of Millburn, NJ. The search for a better way led to replacing manual screening with a dramatically more productive, mechanical 30 in. "And the added weight of seawater mixed with the product took a huge toll on everyone's shoulders." "It took all day for a three- or four-man crew to complete each round of sorting," he explains. Ian, lead researcher and technician for hatchery production at the AIC. Originally, sorting with a 2 X 2 ft (0.6 X 0.6 m) hand-held screener was a daunting task, according to Matt Neum. Sorting by size for counting and redistribution in the "nursery" is a frequent and essential operation in the seed oyster production cycle. ![]() Annual production is more than 10 million seed oysters to meet customer specifications, in particular those of East Coast commercial oyster producers. The 22,000 sq ft (2046 sq m) facility next to the Cape May Canal in Cape May, NJ, produces disease-resistant, fast-growing seed oysters for commercial grow-out, research, and restoration of native oyster beds. Sustainable Spent Grain Processing Solutions from Kason: Dewater & Dry Spent GrainĬAPE MAY, NJ - Seed oyster production at The New Jersey Aquaculture Innovation Center at Rutgers University (AIC) is a large-scale operation by any measure.Spent Grain Processing Solutions for Distilleries.Continuous Dryers, Coolers & Agglomerators.VIBRO-BED Fluid Bed Dryers, Coolers, & Moisturizers.Static Scalping Sieve Aftermarket Parts.CROSS-FLO Static Sieve Screeners & Separators.Centrifugal Separators with Integral Feeder.CENTRI-SIFTER Centrifugal Sifters & Separators.Standard Single- & Multi-Deck Screeners.VIBROSCREEN Circular Vibratory Screeners & Separators.
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