February 11, 2020

University of Hawaii aquaculture centre researching oysters to improve water quality

Oysters raised at the University of Hawaii's Pacific Aquaculture and Coastal Resources Center (PACRC) are used to boost water quality at Maalaea Harbour, Maui, reported University of Hawaii.

The Maui Nui Marine Resource Council is heading the oyster project, in collaboration with non-profit Oʻahu Waterkeepers.

Amy Hodges, Maui Nui Marine Resource Council programs manager said oysters naturally filter water when they eat, so the aim is to raise oysters for to clean the Maalaea Bay area using its natural filter feeding ability.

Hodges said the aquaculture centre is raising triploid Pacific oysters (Crassostreagigas), naturally found in Hawaii. They are raised for several months at the PACRC, then will be placed in Maalaea Harbour once they become large and hardy enough to survive the area's heavily sedimented waters.

The oysters have also been placed in several areas in the state, including the Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam, the Marine Corps Base at Kāneʻohe Bay, the Hawaii Yacht Club and the Waikiki Yacht Club in the Ala Wai Harbour, and the Honolulu Community College's Marine Education and Training Centre at Sand Island.

-      University of Hawaii