Lebata-Ramos, however, found that by giving oysters ( Crassostrea iredalei) their own private space to grow, in pouches or trays, they can grow unclustered, yield up to 59 percent more meat, and in 50 percent less time.Īs detailed in her recently-published study, her team placed wild-collected baby oyster “spat” and individually stocked them in prototype net pouches and plastic trays suspended from floating bamboo rafts at their study site in Batan Bay in Aklan.Įach hanging pouch contained 25 compartment pockets that each contained one oyster. Wild oyster larvae naturally stick to these surfaces and form clusters of marketable, but often smaller, oysters in nine to 12 months.ĭr. Junemie Hazel Lebata-Ramos, a scientist at the Southeast Asian Fisheries Development Center, Aquaculture Department (SEAFDEC/AQD) based in Iloilo, Philippines. “Oysters are traditionally grown on bamboo stakes, worn tires, or old shells installed at river mouths,” said Dr. To help oyster producers capture the premium market, a mollusk scientist devised a simple method of growing oysters that are not only single, but also young and meaty. Junemie Hazel Lebata-Ramos of SEAFDEC/AQD to grow single oysters that command up to five times the price of clustered oysters.
Newly-harvested young, single, and meaty gourmet-type oysters after six months of growing in innovative net pouches designed by Scientist Dr. However, diligent traders may opt to carefully separate, sort, and clean larger shells to enter the lucrative market of premium unclustered oysters served in hotels and high-end restaurants, where a dozen pieces can fetch around P500 (US$10). In the Philippines, oysters sell for as little as P60–70 (US$1.20–US$1.40) per serving, roughly 10-15 shells, in small seafood restaurants. The shells – sizeable, petite and everything in between – reveal random morsels of meat that go well with fish sauce and spiced vinegar. Seafood lovers are acquainted with prying their way through clumps of steamed oyster shells. While oysters are naturally clingy, a scientist has found that they grow best with no attachments and when given healthy boundaries.
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