bottom planted 

Bottom planting is as close as you can get to wild oyster growing. Spat is spread on the ocean floor and thrives in the same water and living conditions as wild oysters. 

Pros: produces tough and healthy shells. Cons: farmers lose oysters to nature.

The salty liquid or “liquor” of an oyster. 

Metal cages that hold bags of oyster seed to protect them from predators and harsh ocean conditions.

Housed inside cages, they provide more protection to the oysters.

Adapted from French aquaculture. Hundreds of oysters are placed in grow-out bags fastened to rebar racks which elevate the oysters above the ocean floor. This elevation allows superior tidal flow to encompass the oysters so they can easily feast on natural phytoplankton and nutrients in the water column.

Methods of growing that keeps oysters above the ocean floor.

Pros: oysters are more enclosed and protected, producing higher yield. Cons: More money and effort spent on growing gear.

Floating oysters typically never dry out and get the benefit of high wave activity that naturally tumbles them.

Baby oysters after they have set to a grow structure.

Trays serve the same function as grow-out bags but can be stacked to maximize space.

Promotes uniform and strong shells by chiseling oysters in a tumbler or naturally by tides

A water flow system that constantly pumps nutrient-rich water up through and around the oyster seed to feed them phytoplankton and other nutrients.