NOSy - magnetic and wireless sensor technology for improving profit, biosecurity and carbon footprint of regional oyster production

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Scientific backgroundIn the life-cycle of many commercially-grown bivalves including oysters, the settlement of free-swimming larvae onto suitable substrate is a key step in extensive aquaculture that provides the foundation for crop growth. In oyster aquaculture, this is either (i) managed through traditional knowledge of oyster farmers, (ii) unmanaged but bypassed with the import of oyster juveniles from other areas or hatcheries or (iii) poorly considered in artisanal fisheries by oyster small-holders. Research methodology We have developed a sensor prototype that quantifies the gaping activity in bivalves and have demonstrated that this sensor can detect differences in gaping behaviour between normal feeding and spawning behaviour. This project aims to develop this prototype into functional units for deployment in oyster aquaculture. Specifically we have teamed up with our original investor, Colchester Oyster Fishery based on Mersea Island in Essex, to develop this sensor into a product use to inform them of high probability of spawning activity to facilitate their management and culture of oysters - ideally to increase their yield of free swimming oyster larvae onto spat collectors or oyster "cultch" - crush shell they can place on an inter tidal oyster cultivation area for oysters to settle onto.Our project will complete our development of a single sensor into an array of sensors that can work with multiple oysters at the same time. Then we will build in both environmental data sensing technology and a method for the array that may sit out on an estuary to send data back to "base" using 4G communication links and so that the oyster producer can check on their oysters. As should be evident this means the sensor has many other potential uses such as understanding whether oysters are feeding when expected or experiencing stress - neither of these observations are currently possible with looking at long term growth of oysters. By the time declines in growth occur it may be the case that it is too late to act upon it.ImpactThis is an impact orientated innovation project with a very clear set of deadlines and a single clear obtainable impact deliverable - to increase spatfall and juvenile oyster yield so as to increase profitability and product quality and supply for Colchester Oyster Fishery. The technology we are developing may be of itself of commercial value and has many other potential uses with other shellfish and sedentary livestock production.