Invasion

Invasion Description

1st Record: Taylor Shellfish Farms, Kamliche/WA/Totten Inlet, Puget Sound (culture started before 1991, Hedgecock et al. 1993). The Taylor Shellfish stock was developed from a stock imported from Japan in the 1970s, and reared at the Hatfield Marine Station in Newport, Oregon. After 20 years of rearing, part of this stock showed distinctive sikamea morphology and genotypes, while part of the stock was 'gigas'-like in morphology and genetics. There was some evidence of hybridization in both groups (Hedgecock et al. 1993). While the Kumamoto Oyster is cultured in Puget Sound, there is no evidence of reproduction, outside hatcheries (Coan et al. 2000). One of the attractions of this oyster is that cultured oysters in cold, local waters, do not spawn in summer, while other cultured oysters are spawning, and of poorer quality (Washington Sea Grant 2002).

Geographic Extent

Taylor Shellfish Farms, Kamliche/WA/Totten Inlet, Puget Sound (culture started before 1991, Hedgecock et al. 1993, not reproducing in natural waters)