Streaming Media
Presentation Abstract
To better understand the potential for an Olympia oyster restoration at Penrose Point State Park, this project utilized experimental test plots established in September 2020, recruitment monitoring over the last three years, and long-term monitoring efforts since 2013. The project found that the test plots varied both in the stability of shell substrate and the survival of outplanted oyster seed. This survival of seed was lower than anticipated after 9 months and therefore, the monitoring efforts did not detect any differences between Penrose Point and the reference site at Maple Hollow Park. Additionally, larval settlement of Olympia oysters at Penrose Point and Maple Hollow was extremely low across all years monitored. Although full analyses of community data have not yet been conducted, initial observations indicate a lack of community-level changes. Therefore, we conclude that any future Olympia oyster restoration at Penrose Point State Park should focus on areas with the greatest shell stability and juvenile oyster survival. Furthermore, because the site does not experience regular Olympia oyster settlement, restoration should include the addition of oyster seed. The addition of seed should use methods to reduce mortality due to predation and other factors. Monitoring of this project will continue to determine the continued survivorship of outplanted Olympia oysters and their potential impact on the surrounding community.
Session Title
Poster Session 3: Land - Water Connections
Conference Track
SSE14: Posters
Conference Name
Salish Sea Ecosystem Conference (2022 : Online)
Document Type
Event
SSEC Identifier
SSE-posters-277
Start Date
27-4-2022 4:00 PM
End Date
27-4-2022 4:30 PM
Rights
Copying of this document in whole or in part is allowable only for scholarly purposes. It is understood, however, that any copying or publication of this document for commercial purposes, or for financial gain, shall not be allowed without the author's written permission.
Type
Text
Language
English
Experimental Olympia Oyster Restoration at Penrose Point State Park
To better understand the potential for an Olympia oyster restoration at Penrose Point State Park, this project utilized experimental test plots established in September 2020, recruitment monitoring over the last three years, and long-term monitoring efforts since 2013. The project found that the test plots varied both in the stability of shell substrate and the survival of outplanted oyster seed. This survival of seed was lower than anticipated after 9 months and therefore, the monitoring efforts did not detect any differences between Penrose Point and the reference site at Maple Hollow Park. Additionally, larval settlement of Olympia oysters at Penrose Point and Maple Hollow was extremely low across all years monitored. Although full analyses of community data have not yet been conducted, initial observations indicate a lack of community-level changes. Therefore, we conclude that any future Olympia oyster restoration at Penrose Point State Park should focus on areas with the greatest shell stability and juvenile oyster survival. Furthermore, because the site does not experience regular Olympia oyster settlement, restoration should include the addition of oyster seed. The addition of seed should use methods to reduce mortality due to predation and other factors. Monitoring of this project will continue to determine the continued survivorship of outplanted Olympia oysters and their potential impact on the surrounding community.
