There are many changes happening in our oceans right now, and the majority of them are proving to be harmful to the species that inhabit it. One of these processes is known as “ocean acidification”. Ocean acidification is just as it sounds- it’s the process of an ocean becoming more acidic. This raises a number of problems; most notably it is dissolving our coral and shellfish. They are dying prematurely, and the new spawn are growing weaker and weaker shells. It makes them more susceptible to diseases and predators, and it shortens their lifespan in general.
Of course, the declining sickly shellfish population hasn’t gone unnoticed by the scientific community, and currently there is work being done to counter the effects of ocean acidification. Jonathan P. Davis, a researcher from Taylor Shellfish Farms Inc., is currently leading a team of researchers and scientists in using selective breeding and genetics to harden up our Pacific Oysters.
Their efforts are proving to be successful. This team has produced 42 lines of hybrid oysters that are more inclined to survive our more acidic seas. As time passes, the oysters will be selectively bred over and over until the hardiest few have doubled, tripled, quadrupled, etc., in number. This could be the key to saving not only our Pacific Oysters, but all of the other suffering Oyster populations as well.
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Article Source
Image Sources:
Shell Dissolving
Handful of Oysters
Of course, the declining sickly shellfish population hasn’t gone unnoticed by the scientific community, and currently there is work being done to counter the effects of ocean acidification. Jonathan P. Davis, a researcher from Taylor Shellfish Farms Inc., is currently leading a team of researchers and scientists in using selective breeding and genetics to harden up our Pacific Oysters.
Their efforts are proving to be successful. This team has produced 42 lines of hybrid oysters that are more inclined to survive our more acidic seas. As time passes, the oysters will be selectively bred over and over until the hardiest few have doubled, tripled, quadrupled, etc., in number. This could be the key to saving not only our Pacific Oysters, but all of the other suffering Oyster populations as well.
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Article Source
Image Sources:
Shell Dissolving
Handful of Oysters