Aspects biométriques et biochimiques de la croissance de l'huître Crassostrea virginica en élevage suspendu à Solomons (Baie de Chesapeake)

Growth and proximate biochemical composition of the American oyster Crassostrea virginica were studied in the Patuxent river (Maryland), located in the middle reach of the Chesapeake bay (U.S.A.). The effects of stocking densities and environmental variables (depth, temperature) were examined in 1989-1990 on oyster population by using off-bottom culture. No significant density effect was observed on the shell growth, which is described by using a seasonally oscillating function. In contrast, the meat growth and the proximate biochemical composition were bath affected by the stacking density and the depth location. The variability of the resulting effects was observed based on a seasonal trend. Different hypothesis mainly related tO environmental conditions (food availability, current speed) are presented. Study implications on the oyster management in the Chesapeake bay are discussed.