How They’re Grown

Aquaculture oysters are grown in cages, in bags on racks, in floats and spat-on-shell bottom planting. Oysters grown in cages/racks/floats are generally destined for the more lucrative half-shell market, while spat-on-shell oysters are usually grown for the shucking market.

Cultured oyster production can be viewed as a 3-step process – hatchery; nursery; and grow-out to market size.

The first step begins onshore in a hatchery, where adult oysters are encouraged to spawn and produce baby oysters.  During this hatchery stage, oysters of all ages (broodstock, larvae, and post-set juveniles) are fed a diet consisting primarily of cultured micro-algae and then a mixture of cultured algae and natural algae.

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Virginia Seafood
The Virginia Marine Products Board is thrilled that the official start of fall is only a few days away. October is National Seafood month and November is Virginia Oyster month, so fall is an exciting time for Virginia Seafood. With plenty of festivals and events happening during this time we hope you include Virginia Seafood in your seasonal activities. Follow the link to our website virginiaseafood.org to get a list of seafood events around you and retailers in your area. Support Virginia’s commercial watermen and women by purchasing fresh and local Virginia Seafood. ... See MoreSee Less
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