Acronym ALIEN OYSTER
Category
Fisheries
Title Distribution, population development and effects of the invasive Pacific oyster (Crassostrea gigas) in the Skagerrak Programme National Programme
Instrument (FP6)
Contact Type (FP7)
Strand (Interreg)
NA
Theme (FP7)
Activity Area (FP6)
Regional Area (Interreg)
Action (COST)
NA
Specific Programme (FP7)
NA
Funding source National Coordinator Eli Rinde Coordinator email eli.rinde@niva.no
Coordinator institution
NIVA - Norwegian Institute for Water Research (Norway)
Institutions involved
IFREMER - French Research Institute for Exploitation of the Sea (France) ,
RCN - Research Council of Norway (Norway) ,
DTU-AQUA - Technical University of Denmark; National Institute of Aquatic Resources (Denmark) ,
UGOT - University of Gothenburg (Sweden) ,
Start year 2011 End year 2013 Funding (€) € 317,710 Website NA Summary Introductions of alien species has been recognized globally as a major threat to biological diversity. The invasive Pacific oyster (Crassostrea gigas) was introduced for aquaculture purposes to Europe from Japan during the 1960's to replace over-exploited stocks of European oysters (Ostrea edulis). Low water temperatures were believed to restrict reproduction and establishment of wild populations. However, wild populations were established, for example in the Wadden Sea, and massive spreading of the Pacific oyster took place during warm summers in the beginning of the 2000's. In 2006, mass settlement of the Pacific oyster was observed in Sweden, and in the following years, this was also observed in Norway. The Pacific oyster is a habitat-modifying species that has been shown to have a large impact on the environment, by turning soft bottoms into hard reef structures. Although there are a variety of studies that have addressed the impacts of Pacific oyster on benthic environments, only a few studies have assessed the effects on biodiversity, and to our knowledge, no study has used models to predict the future distribution pattern of this species. In this study, we will: (1) Map the present distribution and model the likely future distribution of Pacific oyster in the Oslofjord; (2) Assess the population structure, mortality, recruitment and population development of the Pacific oyster; (3) Study the effects of Pacific oyster on blue mussel beds and associated diversity of native fauna and flora; (4) Identify the origin and introduction pathway of the Pacific oyster through genetic studies. This project will provide knowledge of introduction routes, establishment, and population development of the Pacific oyster and its effects on native fauna and flora that will help natural resource managers to develop monitoring and action plans for this invasive species.
(1) Map the present distribution of the Pacific oyster in the Oslofjord and predict areas that are likely to be invaded by the species in the near future (WP1); (2) Quantify mortality and recruitment rate of the present populations (WP2); (3) Study the effect of different densities of Pacific oyster on blue mussel beds and associated fauna and flora (WP3); (4) Perform genetic studies in order to elucidate the origin and introduction pathway of the species (WP4).
Keywords
Bivalve;
Genetic;
Monitoring;
Alien species;
Oyster;
Impacts;
Mollusc;
Stock assessment;
Shellfish;
Marine Region
14
Skagerrak, Kattegat (27.IIIa)
1
Marine Region Map
