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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

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 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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