Induced polyploidization in larviparous oysters: Developing a commercially viable Hawaiian oyster

The Hawaii oyster industry focuses primarily on seed production of exotic species for farms on the US Western Seaboard, although there has been strong interest in developing food production oysters in Hawaii for over a century. These efforts have been fundamentally hampered by the lack of a commercial oyster species that is well-suited to production in the Hawaii environment, as well as permitting constraints for growing exotic species in natural waterways. This project will seek to develop a commercially viable endemic/established Hawaiian oyster, at a facility with capacity to produce seedstock for growers throughout the state. The target species has demonstrated resistance to invasive pests, tolerance to warm water and high salinity, and excellent flavor. Inducing triploidy in oyster seed creates reproductively sterile animals to promote faster growth and eliminate mortality that occurs with stressful spawning events. This is common practice for commercially farmed oviparous (broadcast spawning) oysters, and may offer further enhanced benefits for larviparous (brooding) oysters due to their early age of maturation. Novel methods to induce triploidy in the HawaiianDendostrea sp.oyster will be developed through this project, and benefits on growth and survival will be measured to determine the impacts for production. Developing an established, commercially viable oyster species for production in Hawaii will expand opportunities for aquafarmers in existing permitted areas such as Hawaiian fishponds, as well as potentially facilitate access to new growing areas throughout the state. This will create a new American product, make permitted Hawaii-based aquafarms more competitive, and expand access to domestic seafood for the American consumer, targeting specific aspects of US Executive Order 14276 seeking to restore competitivenes of American-produced seafood.