HomeMy WebLinkAboutShellfish Benefits Brochure ECSGAShellfish Clean
the Water by
Filter Feeding
Shellfish improve water quality as theyfeed by filtering microscopic particles fromthe water. This removes problematic sedi-ments and phytoplankton and their associ-ated nutrients. Some of the nitrogen isincorporated into protein and the rest isdeposited on the bottom, where it can beconsumed by worms and other organisms.
• Shellfish remove microscopic
plants as they feed.
• Nitrogen contained in shellfish
tissues is removed when
animals are harvested.
• Shellfish feeding stimulates
denitrification.
• Improved light penetration and
reduced nitrogen help eelgrass
recover.
Shellfish
Aquaculture
Stimulates
Diversity
4 Reduces turbidity
4 Improves light penetration
4 Improves water quality
4 Reduces anoxia (low oxygen)
• A single oyster can clearover
15 gallons a day, retaining
particles as small as 2 microns.
• A small oyster farm in
Narragansett, RI clears 30 to
100 million gallons each day.
As both water clarity and lightpenetration are improved, theeelgrass is able to recover inwaters that have not supportedseagrasses for decades. Clearlyshellfish aquaculture should bean element of any eelgrassrestoration project.
• Recent studies reveal that
shellfish aquaculture can
improve species abundance
and diversity.
• Shells and aquaculture
structures provide habitat
for juvenile fish, crabs and
other organisms.
Shellfish
Remove
Nitrogen
Cultured shellfish have gotten a thumbsup from environmental groups such asEnvironmental Defense, the Chef’sCollaborative’s Seafood Solutions,and others. These groups work tosteer consumers towards sustainablyharvested seafoods. Oysters are akeystone species, meaning theycontrol the environment inwhich they live by cleaning thewater, while the spaces betweentheir shells provide habitat forjuvenile fish, crabs, and theorganisms on which they feed.
Photo courtesy of Jerry Prezioso
• Filter-feeding shellfish
improve water quality.
• Shellfish farming provides
habitat for fish and improves
species diversity.
• Shellfish aquaculture is
sustainable and good
for the environment.
For more information please visit our website:
www.ECSGA.org
1623 Whiteside Rd.
Tom’s River, New Jersey 08755
Shellfish Farming
is Sustainable
• Shellfish filter
microscopic
plant cells from
the water column.
• Shellfish feed
low on the food
chain.
• No fertilizers,
feeds, herbicides,
drugs, chemicals,
or antibiotics are
used.
Shellfish aquaculture has proven to be sustainable because it does not damage the environment or jeopardize future productivity. Annual harvests are made possible by replanting hatchery- reared seed.
Shellfish
Aquaculture
is GOOD
for the
Environment !
Did you know?
This pamphlet was financed by the Rhode Island
Aquaculture Initiative and Rhode Island Sea Grant
An oyster farmertends his cropat low tide.