As a means to prevent oyster die off, the students designed and created a floating oyster cage. This followed last summer’s die off event at our cages. After brainstorming with experts and looking at evidence that low dissolved oxygen seemed to be a contributing factor, the team decided to raise the cage close to the surface where oxygen levels are normally higher. To test it, the team set up a floating cage tethered to the dock as well as one that was 3 feet from the bottom and another at 5 feet from the bottom to do some preliminary testing and comparisons. While results look promising, the testing needs to be continued through the summer which is when the die off occurred. Research supports the idea that floating oyster cages have had positive results on oyster survival and growth and a reduction in biofouling that also reduces oxygen levels.
