Species profiles: Life histories and environmental requirements of coastal fishes and invertebrates (Pacific Northwest): Pacific oyster

Technical Report · Thu Sep 01 04:00:00 EDT 1988

OSTI ID:6559697

Pauley, G B; Van Der Raay, B; Troutt, D

Species profiles are literature summaries of the taxonomy, morphology, range, life history, and environmental requirements of coastal aquatic species. They are designed to assist in environmental impact assessments. The Pacific oyster is found in the estuarine waters of California, Oregon, Washington, and British Columbia. It is sought both commercially and recreationally. Washington leads all other areas combined with a commercial production of 5.5 million pounds valued at $3.8 million. This is 26% of Washington State's total shellfish production value. These are very prolific animals, releasing up to 70 million eggs per year. Larvae are sensitive to a variety of environmental conditions, primarily temperature and salinity, and to pollutants including sulphite waste liquor. Growth is rapid and most noticeable in the third and fourth years. Along with other shellfish, Pacific oysters may accumulate toxin from /ital Gonyaulax cantenella/ (responsible for paralytic shellfish poisoning), but they lose the toxin more rapidly than other shellfish. Optimum water temperature for adults is 20/degree/C and optimum salinities are above 20 ppt for adults. Ambient temperature is the single most critical item to breeding success in the Pacific Northwest.

• Research Organization: Washington Univ., Seattle (USA). Cooperative Fishery Research Unit
• OSTI ID: 6559697
• Report Number(s): TR-EL-82-4/82-11-85; BR-82(11.85); ON: TI89003027
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

520100* -- Environment
Aquatic-- Basic Studies-- (-1989)
54 ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES
ANIMAL GROWTH
ANIMALS
AQUATIC ORGANISMS
BASELINE ECOLOGY
BIOLOGY
BRITISH COLUMBIA
CALIFORNIA
CANADA
COASTAL WATERS
CONTAMINATION
ECOLOGY
ESTUARIES
FEDERAL REGION IX
FEDERAL REGION X
FEEDING
GROWTH
INVERTEBRATES
LIFE CYCLE
MOLLUSCS
MORPHOLOGY
NORTH AMERICA
OREGON
OYSTERS
PACIFIC OCEAN
POLLUTION
SEAS
SEDIMENTS
SURFACE WATERS
TAXONOMY
TEMPERATURE DEPENDENCE
USA
WASHINGTON
WATER POLLUTION