Advancing Technology for Restoration: An investigation of the Solar Oysters Production System

Abstract

The Solar Oyster Production System (SOPS) was developed to expand growing capacity while decreasing the area required to grow oysters and reducing labor demands. SOPS is the first system in the world to grow oysters on continuously rotating ladders, however, little is known about the effect of consistent rotation on oyster growth. The goal of this study was to understand (1) the impact of rotation on growth of the Crassostrea virginica and (2) how the performance of oysters on SOPS compares to performance on traditional gardening methods. Oysters were deployed on rotational and static ladders on SOPS as well as oyster gardening cages provided by the Chesapeake Bay Foundation (CBF). The findings from this study reveal how consistent rotation affects shell shape and condition, and they provide baseline metrics for the further development of the technology.