6.2.2 Preparing larvae for shipment

The method, developed in the 1980’s, has been refined over the years and is straightforward. It provides good results if proper procedures are followed. Oyster larvae are produced in a hatchery and a grower will make arrangements with the hatchery to deliver the amount of larvae required at his/her facility at convenient times.

Larvae are filtered on screens at the hatchery and placed in a piece of nylon mesh to form a bundle that is kept damp, a bundle about 5 cm in diameter contains about 2 million mature oyster larvae (Figure 89). The bundle of larvae is placed in a chilled styrofoam container with ice packs to maintain a temperature of 5-10°C. The container with larvae is then shipped to the grower.

Figure 89: Receiving a consignment of eyed Pacific oyster larvae wrapped in nylon mesh at a remote setting site in British Columbia, Canada.