In many large and resort cities of Russia, the demand for domestic oysters has increased in recent years, as follows from the data of the Center for Industry Expertise (CEE). When determining the factors that influenced this trend, it should be noted the successful import substitution and a significant increase in oyster production in Russia: from two tons in 2013 to 4.6 thousand tons in 2021.
At the same time, according to Rosrybolovstvo, more than 90% of the oysters grown fall on the mariculture enterprises of Primorsky Krai.
The infographic of the Primorsky Krai Fisheries Agency demonstrates that
in 2022, the share of oysters among aquaculture facilities grown in Primorye amounted to 5.6%: 3.5 thousand tons.
Restaurateurs and retail chains appreciate this type of mollusk for its ability to tolerate sharp temperature fluctuations and high survivability during transportation by containers: thus, oysters from the Far East have every chance to get alive even in the cities of the western part of our country.
The first steps in the cultivation of the Pacific oyster (Magallana gigas) were made by TINRO specialists back in the 70s of the XX century.
A common practice in the process of growing oysters is the use of natural planting material by Far Eastern mariculture farms. Juveniles are collected by exposing collectors of various types in the water column:garlands of scallop shell flaps or polyethylene plates.
It should be noted that the collection of oyster spat (juveniles) in industrial volumes is possible only in shallow, well-warmed areas where large oyster beds are located at the bottom. At the same time, due to the abundance of cyclones during the mass development of oyster larvae in plankton (July-August), not every year you can count on a good harvest of juveniles, even in such areas with relatively favorable conditions.
For the dynamic development of oyster farming in Russia, one of the key conditions is the possibility of stable provision of mariculture farms with planting material. In world practice, a factory method is used to obtain oyster juveniles, which provides a higher survival rate of larvae than in nature, due to the passage of the most vulnerable planktonic stage of development at optimal environmental parameters.
One of the main areas of work of the innovative research and production center of mariculture "TINRO" on Popov Island (INPC) is the development of new biotechnologies for the reproduction of valuable commercial aquatic organisms.
The achievements of TINRO scientists, who for the first time in the Far East received young oysters in factory conditions back in 2019, created the prerequisites for continuing work in this area. The research is aimed at optimizing and introducing into the wide practice of mariculture a full-cycle technology of oyster cultivation based on the factory method of obtaining spat.
Now the process of obtaining resilient oyster juveniles no longer depends on the variability of weather conditions.
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