Demonstration and Evaluation of Floating Cage Oyster Culture Systems in Delaware Bay as an Alternative Cultivation Method that Minimizes Impacts to Endangered Red Knot.

The purpose of this project is to demonstrate and evaluate the feasibility of floating cage oyster aquaculture in Delaware Bay New Jersey. While such methods have been developed elsewhere, the unique characteristics of Delaware Bay (open water, strong currents, large ice flows) have precluded investment into infrastructure necessary to demonstrate the feasibility of floating cage oyster aquaculture in terms of both technical capability and economic viability. This work is targeted towards expanding the fledgling Delaware Bay centered oyster aquaculture industry away from the intertidal into deeper waters to facilitate growth that responds to an urgent need to avoid interactions with horseshoe crabs and threatened and endangered shore birds like the recently listed red knot and secure a viable and sustainable future for the industry.