Abstract

With fast growth and a higher meat quality, a triploid cultchless single shell oyster has become a one of major source of the world oyster production. In South Korea where most of the Pacific oyster productions are based on long-line suspended diploid oysters, there are growing demands on a high-quality and more profitable oysters. When compared to the suspended diploid oysters on the south coast, individuals reared in tidal flats on the west coast shows greater performance in terms of a shell thickness, strength, and taste. Hence, we tested for the translocation of a triploid cultchless single shell oyster from Tongyeong on south coast to Boryeong on the west coast in order to determine the optimal timing and location of transplantation. As a result, the oysters translocated in April showed the lowest cumulative mortality when compared to the oysters translocated in June and September, indicating that the spring is the optimal timing of location due possibly to the highest primary productivity in the intertidal zone throughout the year. In addition, the oysters reared in the lower intertidal zone was more favorable than in the upper intertidal zone in terms of tissue dry weight and condition index. Considering that the oysters tissue weight in the lower intertidal zone peaked in August and decreased from September due to the high summer temperature, it is suggested that translocation should be carried out in April and harvested during August to maximize the yield.