Ocean Changes Affecting $100 Million WA Shellfish Industry
Published on Wed, Nov 9, 2011 by Washington News ServiceRead More County & State
Intro: You may not think of seeds when you think of oysters, but that’s what oyster larvae are, and local fishermen are seeing a major increase in the death toll of these seed oysters. Bill Dewey with Taylor Shellfish Farms says the first sign of trouble was back in 2005 when natural oyster beds started failing. Since then, he says the problem has progressed to hatcheries all along the West Coast.
| Cut 315098 :11 "In 2008 our oyster larvae production was off 60%, in 2009 it was off 80%. The industry had a seed crisis on their hands." |
Tag: Dewey says shellfish are a 100 million dollar industry for Washington State with oysters accounting for 58 million. He says carbon dioxide pollution from burning of fossil fuels is making local waters more acidic, and that acid is eating through the shells of baby oysters, making it impossible for them to survive.
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Second Cut: Dewey says 77 tons of carbon dioxide is pumped into the air every day worldwide, which has particular effects on the Puget Sound and waters off the West Coast.
| Cut 325098 :18 "Where we’ve got this upwelling phenomenon off our coast that brings the deep ocean waters to the surface, and waters that have been absorbing CO-2 for decades are corrosive, and because of that they are dissolving our baby oysters, causing us problems." |
Tag: Dewey will be taking part in a forum at the Center for Urban Horticulture in Seattle today at noon,
