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Shellfish Mariculture in Drakes Estero, Point Reyes National Seashore, California (2009) / Chapter Skim
Currently Skimming:

Scientific Conclusions That Can Be Drawn
Pages 67-70

The Chapter Skim interface presents what we've algorithmically identified as the most significant single chunk of text within every page in the chapter.
Select key terms on the right to highlight them within pages of the chapter.


From page 67...
... One study was conducted in which sediment cores were taken in eelgrass as a function of distance away from oyster culture racks in Drakes Estero and also in nearby Estero de Limantour, which lacks oyster culture. No enhancement of sediment organics and no reduction in oxygen content of sediments were detectable near the culture racks or in Drakes Estero as compared to Estero de Limantour, indicating a lack of detectable negative impacts of oyster biodeposition, probably because of relatively low oyster stocking densities and high tidal flushing, which disperses the deposits.
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From page 68...
... The only study done of fishes of Drakes Estero was unable to detect significant differences in fish abundance, species diversity, or community composition between eelgrass fishes of Drakes Estero at varying distances from culture racks or between Drakes Estero and the Estero de Limantour, which has no oyster culture operation. There is some indication that the guild of fishes typically associated with hard substrates may be locally enhanced around culture racks, driven largely by response of one species, the kelp surfperch.
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From page 69...
... Past importation of nonnative oysters at Drakes Estero is associated with the unintentional introduction of a nonnative haplosporidian oyster disease and a salt marsh snail, Batillaria attramentaria, whose introduction has had locally limited detrimental effects on the native marsh snail. However, the current mariculture practice of importing only larvae or seed from hatcheries practicing High Health Programs of inspections carries low risk of future new introductions of exotic species into Drakes Estero.
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From page 70...
... and value of ecological services (on the order of $20 million to $30 million per year)
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Key Terms

  • oyster culture
  • culture racks
  • oyster culturing
  • marsh snail
  • estero represents

  • didemnum vexillum
  • cultured oysters
  • hard substrates
  • little systemic
  • reach confident

  • carries low
  • mainland california
  • vexillum elevates
  • habitat provided
  • mariculture practice

  • seasonally migrating
  • low risk
  • initial studies
  • black brant
  • ongoing culture

  • native oysters
  • mariculture operation
  • eelgrass habitat
  • oyster mariculture
  • ecological services

  • culture operation
  • california population
  • locally enhanced
  • current mariculture
  • oyster biodeposition


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