The Effect of High Population Density on the Growth and Mortality of Oysters (Ostrea edulis)

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Abstract
Two experiments, designed to measure the effects on oysters of high population densities, were carried out in the River Roach, Essex. The first experiment, using 50,000 oysters, was limited to a single year-class of imported stock and included densities of up to 239 per sq. m (200 per sq. yd), equivalent to 1 million per acre (1 acre = 0·405 hectare); the second, with 200,000 oysters, included several year-classes of locally grown stock and densities of up to 359 per sq. m (300 per sq. yd). Although mortalities did not appear to increase at the high densities there was some indication of reduced growth of meat at densities at which adjacent oysters were just in contact. It is shown that the rate of meat production per unit area of ground is less for large oysters than for small ones, and it is suggested that the most economic size at which to harvest oysters is at a shell width of about 7 cm.

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