ATTIA, Jonven*; SARINSKY, Gary; STEWARD-WALKER, Mechelle; NDUKA, Ebere; CARROLL, Margaret A.; CATAPANE, Edward J.; Medgar Evers College; Kingsborough Community College; Kingsborough Community College; Medgar Evers College; Medgar Evers College; Medgar Evers College: The Survival of the American Oyster, Crassostrea virginica, in Jamaica Bay, New York

Jamaica Bay (JB)was abundant with oysters until early 1900’s. Over-harvesting, predators, parasitic invasion and declining water quality due to urbanization and industrialization are cited as causes. We are studying the rehabitation of the American oyster, Crassostrea virginica, in JB to determine if water quality and environmental conditions are suitable for them to survive. Oysters placed in JB at 2 sites (Kingsborough Marina and Gateway National Park Marina) grew well when suspended in protective containers. Growth was influenced by placement near the sediment as compared to the surface. Growth was determined by measuring shell lengths on the anterior-posterior axis (height) and on the transverse axis (width). After 1 year, bottom oysters were 23% and 12% larger at both sites as compared to top oysters. Water temperature, pH, turbidity, salinity, conductivity, chlorophyl-a and dissolved O₂ were monitored at each site. To study growth and survival in a more natural condition, oyster seed and adults were placed just off the bottom in unprotective containers and photographed. After 1 year they are growing and surviving well with no serious signs of predation by crabs or starfish. We found a new generation of oyster seed of apprixmately 20 mm height in one of the oyster bags, indicating that they were about 1 month old. The study continues to show JB water quality is suitable for oyster growth and indicates the first evidence we have oysters can successfully reproduce in JB. The work was supported by grants 1R25GM62003 of NIGMS, 0516041071 of NYSDOE and 66273-0035 and 66288-0035 of PSC-CUNY. We thank Frank M. Flower & Sons, Inc., Oyster Bay, NY for supplying oysters.