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Abstract
Eastern oyster (Crassostrea virginica) aquaculture can be a major economic contributor in the Southeastern United States; however, biofouling poses a risk to successful culture and biofouling mitigation methods are needed. Effects of aerial drying frequency and a fouling-release coating on oyster growth, quality, and fouling in floating oyster cages were assessed in NC, SC, and GA. Half of culture bags were treated with a fouling release coating. Drying treatments included 24-hr aerial exposure once every one, two, or three weeks. Oyster shell metrics and bag fouling were documented quarterly. Oysters were harvested in the final two quarters for condition and fouling determination. Generally, drying frequencies and coating had little effect on oyster condition and fouling. However, oysters dried every two or three weeks without coatings showed greater growth compared to oysters dried weekly in coated bags. Additional research is needed to identify optimal biofouling mitigation approaches in the southeastern US.
