Study on Optimal Condition for Oyster Rack Culture in terms of tidal exposure and rack height in Wando Coast, Korea

We investigated the growth performance of oysters (initial shell height $57.5{\pm}8.5$ mm) under differing conditions of tidal exposure time and culture rack height in an experiment that commenced in April, 2011. Significant differences were observed in shell height from June 2011, in total weight from August, and in meat weight from September. Fatness tended to decrease during the experimental period, but was not significantly different at the end of the experiment. Significant differences in survival rates were mainly observed from June to August. After September, further changes were not observed in any experimental treatment group. The greatest growth potential ( $L_{\infty}$ ) and survival rate were observed at a sea level of approximately 116 cm. The results indicate that in the study area the use of oyster culture conditions involving 1 or 2 h of tidal exposure and 60 - 70 cm rack height could result in oysters reaching the favored commercial half shell size within 14 months, with > 80% survival.