NSW Department of Primary Industries

Molluscan aquaculture

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The Mollusc Aquaculture research group develops technology for new or existing aquaculture industries. Key facilities used for this research at the Port Stephens Fisheries Institute includes:

  • mollusc hatcheries with quarantine facilities
  • algal production facility
  • seawater treatment and storage facility
  • oyster leases in the Georges River.

To learn more about mollusc research please contact Dr Michael Dove.

Research focus

  • Manages the world class Sydney Rock Oyster breeding program
  • Produces the majority of seed to support the NSW Pearl and Native Oyster industries
  • Developed production technologies for an array of new species including scallops, clams and pipis

Current projects

Sydney rock oyster breeding

This project, currently in collaboration with CSIRO, provides selectively bred Sydney Rock Oysters to the NSW oyster industry.  Breeding efforts have focused on increasing disease and growth as well as improving meat condition.  The NSW DPI Sydney Rock Oyster breeding program began in the 1990s and has since become one of the most successful oyster breeding programs of its type.

Developing and improving hatchery and nursery techniques for oysters

This project provides hatchery support to developing bivalve aquaculture industries (Sydney Rock, Pacific, Pearl and Native Oysters) and enables established aquaculture businesses to diversify in the species that they culture.  Wild caught seed and hatchery techniques are not always available for new and emerging aquaculture species.  Research at NSW DPI has developed techniques for regular and reliable supply of seed to farms producing new aquaculture products.

Researching the impacts of human activities and climate change on oysters

This project, in collaboration with University of New South Wales, aims to select Sydney Rock Oysters that are more resilient and can adapt to ocean acidification.  Selective breeding techniques can then be used to produce oysters with resistance to ocean warming and acidification. Outcomes from this project will assist oyster growers to adapt to climate change.

Transforming Australian shellfish safety and disease response through improved regulatory practices and reduced losses

This project, in collaboration with University of Technology Sydney, Western Australian Agriculture Authority and NSW Farmers Association,  commenced in 2021 and is developing models that can increase oyster production at an estuary level. Real-time water quality sensors are being used to automate oyster harvesting.  This system also allows oyster growers to assess the risk of oyster disease and harmful algal blooms so that preventative action through stock management can be taken.

Propagule supply for algal aquaculture

This project, in collaboration with University of Technology Sydney, commenced in 2022 and is investigating the techniques to generate seedstock required for seaweed aquaculture.  This involves firstly developing micropropagation techniques and secondly, scaling up this technology so that seedstock seedlings on ropes can be commercially cultured on aquaculture leases.

Key publications

Scanes, E., Parker, L.M., O’Connor, W.A., Dove, M.C. and Ross, P.M. (2020). Heatwaves alter survival of the Sydney rock oyster, Saccostrea glomerata. Marine Pollution Bulletin, 158. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.marpolbul.2020.111389

Viet, K.N., King, W.L., Siboni, N., Mahbub, K.R., Dove, M.C., O'Connor, W.A. and Seymour, J.R. (2020). The Sydney rock oyster microbiota is influenced by location, season and genetics. Aquaculture 527. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.aquaculture.2020.735472

Sang, V.V., Knibb, W., O’Connor, W.A., Nguyen, T.H.N., In, V.V., Dove, M.C. and Nguyen, N.H. (2020).Genetic parameters for traits affecting consumer preferences for the Portuguese oyster, Crassostrea angulata. Aquaculture. 526. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.aquaculture.2020.735391

King, W.L., Siboni, N., Kahlke, T., Dove, M.C., O'Connor, W.A., Mahbub, K.R., Jenkins, C., Seymour, J.R. and Labbate, M. (2020). Regional and oyster microenvironmental scale heterogeneity in the Pacific oyster bacterial community. FEMS Microbiology Ecology, Volume 96, Issue 5, May 2020. https://doi.org/10.1093/femsec/fiaa054

Sang, V.V., Knibb, W., Nguyen, T.H.N., In, V.V., O’Connor, W.A., Dove, M.C. and Nguyen, N.H. (2019). First breeding program of the Portuguese oyster Crassostrea angulata demonstrated significant selection response in traits of economic importance. Aquaculture. 518:X-X. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.aquaculture.2019.734664

Viet, K.N., King, W.L., Siboni, N., Mahbub, K.R., Dove, M., O’Connor, W.A., Seymour, J.R. and Labbate, M. (2019). The Sydney rock oyster microbiome is influenced by local environmental parameters and QX disease resistance. Fish Shellfish Immunol. DOI: 10.1016/j.fsi.2019.04.200

Fitzer, S.C., McGill, R.A.R, Gabarda, S.T., Hughes, B., Dove, M.C., O’Connor, W.A. and Byrne, M. (2019). Selectively bred oysters can alter their biomineralization pathways, promoting resilience to environmental acidification. Global Change Biology 25:4105-4115.

King, W.L., Siboni, N., Williams, N.L.R., Kahlke, T., Nguyen, K.V., Jenkins, C., Dove, M.C., O’Connor, W.A., Seymour, J.R. and Labbate, M. (2019). Variability in the composition of Pacific oyster microbiomes across oysters families exhibiting different levels of susceptibility to OsHV-1 µvar disease. Frontiers in Microbiology 10:473. DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2019.00473

www.dpi.nsw.gov.au