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    • GOM_Oysters_DigitalAtlas2011

    Metadata Updated: October 19, 2024

    American oyster Crassostrea virginica Description Range: The American oyster, a bivalve mollusc of the family Ostreidae, is found in the western Atlantic from the Gulf of St. Lawrence to the Yucatan Peninsula. In the Gulf, this species occurs throughout estuaries, shallow nearshore waters, and on reefs located near river mouths. Habitat: Large populations of this benthic invertebrate are found in the large estuarine bays and sounds of the Gulf (with most concentrations found within 10-meter depths). Sedentary in character, this invertebrate attaches in clusters to shell reefs, firm mud/shell bottoms and other hard substrates. Feeding and Behavior: The American oyster filter-feeds principally on small unicellular algae and incidentally on suspended detrital particles. It is found in association with numerous predators, commensals, and parasites. Reproduction: Spawning also occurs in estuarine habitats. In the Gulf of Mexico, April to October are the most active months, although spawning has been reported during all months except February and March. Nursery areas are found in estuarine waters. Movement: Planktonic larvae drift with the tides and currents until they settle on solid substrate. Fisheries: This species is commercially harvested throughout its range for its meat, the seasonality for harvesting being state regulated. The fishery for this species is the fourth largest in the U.S. Gulf of Mexico and there is also a commercial fishery in Mexican waters. The species is harvested recreationally.

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    License: No license information was provided. If this work was prepared by an officer or employee of the United States government as part of that person's official duties it is considered a U.S. Government Work.

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    Dates

    Metadata Date December 4, 2020
    Metadata Created Date October 19, 2024
    Metadata Updated Date October 19, 2024
    Reference Date(s) 2011 (publication)
    Frequency Of Update asNeeded

    Metadata Source

    Harvested from NESDIS/NCEI/GIS

    Other Data Resources

    Additional Metadata

    Resource Type Dataset
    Metadata Date December 4, 2020
    Metadata Created Date October 19, 2024
    Metadata Updated Date October 19, 2024
    Reference Date(s) 2011 (publication)
    Responsible Party Harte Research Institute for Gulf of Mexico Studies at Texas A&M University-Corpus Christi (Point of Contact)
    Contact Email
    Guid gov.noaa.ncei:Oysters_GOM_2011
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    Bbox East Long -81.506342
    Bbox North Lat 30.662095
    Bbox South Lat 25.886612
    Bbox West Long -97.517836
    Coupled Resource
    Frequency Of Update asNeeded
    Harvest Object Id d3172eb6-f640-4356-8f9b-6e615baf1f86
    Harvest Source Id 1451ffde-a127-4b4e-8fa1-a615a74536ba
    Harvest Source Title NESDIS/NCEI/GIS
    Licence
    Lineage
    Metadata Language eng; USA
    Metadata Type geospatial
    Old Spatial {"type": "Polygon", "coordinates": [[[-97.517836, 25.886612], [-81.506342, 25.886612], [-81.506342, 30.662095], [-97.517836, 30.662095], [-97.517836, 25.886612]]]}
    Progress completed
    Spatial Data Service Type
    Spatial Reference System urn:ogc:def:crs:EPSG::4269
    Spatial Harvester True
    Temporal Extent Begin 1969
    Temporal Extent End 2009

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