Optimizing intertidal Pacific oyster (Thunberg) culture, Houhora Harbour, northern New Zealand

Experiments were designed to determine the optimum intertidal rack height and growing density for producing Pacific oysters free of mudworm infestations and flatworm predators in the Houhora Harbour, northern New Zealand. At the same level, oysters grew to a larger size in the front of the farm (seaward) compared with those towards the rear (shoreward). Two experimental ‘step racks’ were constructed to test for the optimum oyster growth rates, oyster condition, shell density and degree of mudworm shell blistering. When experimental results were ranked for each rack level, extreme low water neap (ELWN) was the optimum growing level for the back of the farm, and 0.25 m above ELWN was the optimum growing level for the front of the farm. An efficient kill of flatworm predators was not achieved by any of the control methods tried, so avoidance of infestations is advised. The optimum density of oysters on a 1.2-m stick required to achieve maximum condition, shell density and ideal shell shape was 4–5 dozen.