#ALGAE FEED FOR OYSTER SPAT LICENSE#

#ALGAE FEED FOR OYSTER SPAT LICENSE#

Our triploid seed is produced naturally from tetraploid (4n) broodstock with four sets of chromosomes that are crossed with diploid (2n) broodstock. Triploid seed is sold under license from VIMS and Rutgers, as well as 4C’s Breeding Technologies, Inc therefore license fees apply to these seed. Triploids have been shown, in some cases, to grow faster than diploids and because they are sterile, their meat yield and quality tends to be better during the summer months when the diploids are spawning. We produce both diploid (2n) oyster seed which have the normal two sets of chromosomes, as well as triploid (3n) oyster seed with three sets of chromosomes. We only spawn oysters that are believed to be disease resistant, typically from selective breeding. These stocks include disease resistant oysters from the Haskin NEH® line from Rutgers University and the 4DXB line from the Virginia Institute for Marine Science (VIMS) Aquaculture Genetics and Breeding Technology Center. The way to produce disease resistant seed is to use disease resistant broodstock. We also maintain a state-approved broodstock quarantine facility which allows us to safely hold broodstock oysters from out of state. We use a variety of broodstock lines, including our own oysters grown in the Damariscotta River that we selectively breed for shape, cup depth, and rapid growth. We are investing in continual improvement of our algae culturing systems through research and development, with the goal of offering microalgae to other hatcheries. We have two culture systems, one for growing small cells that are the primary food for the young larvae, and a second, proprietary system for growing the bigger cells we feed to our broodstock, older larvae, and the young juveniles before they leave the hatchery. If the hatchery is the engine that drives the business, microalgae fuel the engine.

Oysters eat microalgae (single celled plants) by filtering the cells from the water. We take pride in filling and shipping all of our seed orders on time. For over 30 years we have doggedly pursued our goals of understanding the Eastern oyster’s life cycle, and using the best available technology to reliably provide disease free, disease resistant, and naturally grown juvenile oyster seed. The hatchery is the engine that drives our business.

Algae feed for oyster spat