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comments from Bala Cynwyd PA and Newport NJ

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Oysters with checkered pattern shell

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I learned something about oysters this weekend. In an experiment designed to test durability of aquaculture equipment, some stray oysters attached to the outside of a plastic mesh. I noticed that all of the oysters adopted a mesh pattern on their top side even though that was not touching the plastic mesh.

Similarly, I’ve noticed that oysters growing on ribbed mussels are more likely to show longitudinal ribs. Until now, I just thought it was due to a protected growth pattern. There must be something published somewhere on this topic, but I haven’t found it yet. Nor do I know of any practical application of this observation. But I’ll keep an eye on the checkered oysters to see if the pattern remains as they continue to grow.

Photos are pasted below:

checkered oysters oysters grown on mesh (top not touching mesh) 

oysters grown on mesh (bottom connected to mesh)

 oysters grown on mussels (top not touching mussels) – note the longitudinal veins, not as prominent as on the bottom

 oysters grown on mussels (bottom attached to mussels) – note musell rib marks in yellow areas and the longitudinal veins

Written by Tony Novak, MBA, MT, CPA

December 6, 2010 at 10:38 pm

Posted in gardening

New Facility to Help Chesapeake Bay Oyster Restoration

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Horn Point Labs in MD is clearly the east coast leaders in oyster restoration. This approach would also be effective for New Jersey but current politics to protect the status quo in the oyster industry rather than allow restoration prevent the development of a similar facility here. Smaller hatcheries, including my own, have been successful in gthe Delaware Bay but all have now been cosed down under pressure. 

Quote

New Facility to Help Chesapeake Bay Oyster Restoration | Outdoor News Daily

Written by Tony Novak, MBA, MT, CPA

August 17, 2010 at 8:57 am

Posted in gardening

severe weather in New Jersey

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My tomato garden faced unprecedented hardships this year. We had multiple salt water floods throughout the month of July and then last weekend a strong wind lifted our camper into the air and dropped it on its side right on top of the garden!

Written by Tony Novak, MBA, MT, CPA

August 4, 2009 at 7:43 am

Posted in gardening

squirrel deterent to protect flower bulbs

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After squirrels ate all of my flower bulbs for the past two years, I made these wire screens from wire lath mesh sold at building supply stores. Each piece of mesh was cut to fit each planter. After it was in place I covered it with a thin layer of soil. It worked!
 
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Written by Tony Novak, MBA, MT, CPA

April 8, 2009 at 12:35 pm

Posted in gardening

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