OA in Canada Species Impacts: Pacific Oyster

Our latest poster on OA in Canada Species Impacts is here, featuring the Pacific oyster! Browse or download a high-resolution printable version and feel free to share widely! Poster text is provided below.

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OA in Canada Species Impacts - Pacific oyster - OA CoP.pdf

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More about the OA in Canada Species Impacts Series:

To summarize the current knowledge of OA impacts on species in Canada, the OA CoP has produced a poster series on how species are impacted by OA in Canada. The information presented here is based on the most current scientific literature (peer-reviewed, published papers) of studies conducted in Canada. We also highlight current gaps in our knowledge and areas that require additional research across Canada. These infographics are intended not only to highlight concerning OA impacts on important species in Canada, but are also meant to act as catalysts to support filling the gaps in our knowledge of OA impacts to species across Canada.

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Poster Text:

OA in Canada Species Impacts: Pacific oyster

Fast Facts:

• Scientific name: Crassostrea gigas

• Range: Pacific (Asia, Canada, US)

• Lifestyle: suspension feeder, can form reefs

• Introduced to Canada from Asia as a popular aquaculture species

• 2nd most valuable aquaculture species in BC (behind salmon) valued at $16.1M in 20231

OA Impacts in Canada (table):

	Overall	Calcification	Growth	Survival/ Abundance	Reproduction	Physiological
Larval	▼	▼	▼	?	N/A	▼
Juvenile	▼	?	?	▼	N/A	?
Adult	?	?	?	?	▲*	?

• OA is already negatively impacting oysters in the northeastern Pacific2, partially prompting the development of the BC OAH Action Plan3 and Climate Ready BC Seafood Program4

• Only 4 OA studies on Pacific oysters conducted in Canada5-8, including oyster microbiomes8

  *Research shows selective breeding can help build resilience to OA impacts in oysters5,6

• Soda ash as buffer can have negative impacts9

• OA impacts to Pacific oysters being studied by DFO, Hakai Institute, VIU, UBC, and others

Current Gaps:

• OA impacts to juvenile and adult life stages?

• OA impacts on summer mortality syndrome?

• Feasibility and success of selective breeding?

Citations:

• https://www.dfo-mpo.gc.ca/stats/aqua/aqua23-eng.html

• Barton et al. 2015. Oceanog. 28, 146–59. 

• BC OAH Action Plan (based on Evans et al. 2023)

• https://news.gov.bc.ca/releases/2023AF0033-000799

• Nordio et al. 2021. ICES Jour. Mar. Sci. 78, 360–367.

• Wright-LaGreca et al. 2022. Mar. Biotechnol. 24, 116–124.

• Brown et al. 2020. Ecology. 101, e03073.

• Zhong et al. 2024. Appl. Environ. Microbiol. 90, e00052-24.

• Mackenzie et al. 2022. Appl. Environ. Microbiol. 88, e01654-22.

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