Do oyster farms make good habitat?

During 2018 and 2019 we sampled 18 oyster farms from around North Carolina (see map). At each lease location, we sampled around the oyster culture gear and also at a control site nearby. We used gill nets, crab pots, and minnow traps to determine what types of species were present. Also, in order to accurately assess abundance of fish on oyster farms vs. control sites, we used acoustic imaging, which is a type of sonar. 

Our study has collected more fish (and invertebrate) data on oyster farms than any previous research. Now comes the real work! Based on preliminary analysis of our data from 2018, we found that fish abundance on oyster farms is significantly higher than in nearby control areas. However, there is a bigger story to tell here, and this unique dataset will reveal it to us during the coming year.

Click to read a recent press article on Andrew McMains' fish telemetry study on an oyster lease in Cedar Island Bay.
Click to view a recent article in North Carolina Sea Grant's Coastwatch Currents.

At left, technician Mary Conroy sets crab pots at an oyster lease in Cedar Island Bay

​Thanks to our farmers!

Fourteen different oyster farmers from NC allowed us to sample at their leases (for some we sampled multiple farms). The response from this community was outstanding, and there were more oyster growers that volunteered their farms than we were able visit! Overall we found that this group was very interested in learning how their farms affect marine life. Below we have links to reports that briefly summarize the data collected at each farm. Note, sonar data from farms sampled in 2019 have yet to be analyzed, but these reports will be updated when that is completed.

FARM REPORTS
3littspats_8_2019.pdf
​3littspats_10_2019.pdf
​bayer_9_2018.pdf
​belter_9_2019.pdf
bethea_10_2018.pdf
cannon_a_10_2018.pdf
cannon_b_10_2018.pdf
​daniels_roanoke_9_2018.pdf​
​daniels_swanquarter_10_2018.pdf
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hargrove_8_2019.pdf
​iandm_8_2019.pdf
​mcglade_9_2019.pdf
​mera_8_2019.pdf
​schwab_8_2019.pdf
styron_8_2018.pdf
​tyler_8_2018.pdf
​weeks_a_8_2018.pdf
weeks_b_8_2018.pdf​

​The Tripletail is a one of the more unusual inhabitants of the oyster farm in NC

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​​​Below is a preview of video footage from acoustic imaging (sonar) that we conducted at each farm.
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​Note to viewers: For our acoustic imaging, the viewer is oriented so they are looking down over top of the seafloor. The sonar was mounted to a kayak, so in wavy conditions the imaging was less stable. You also might notice that objects in the path of the acoustic beam (or fish that swim through) produce a "sound-shadow".

​Project funded by: