Native Olympia Oysters Have Built-In Resistance To Ocean Acidification

ERTHFX | By Kristian Foden-Vencil

Published June 12, 2016 at 2:45 PM PDT

<p>Scientists think the ability of Olympia oysters to withstand ocean acidification, could be bred into the Pacific oysters preferred by farmers.</p> — Scientists think the ability of Olympia oysters to withstand ocean acidification, could be bred into the Pacific oysters preferred by farmers.

Native Olympia oysters have a built-in resistance to ocean acidification, according to a newly published study in the Journal of Limnology and Oceanography.

Native Olympia oysters are smaller than the larger, faster-growing Pacific oysters preferred by farmers.

But a study by Oregon State University professor George Waldbusser has found Olympia oysters make their shells much more slowly. And that helps protect them from acidic water, “Having that trait identified might give opportunity to actually breed that trait into some of the other commercial species," he said.

"But it also provides some hope that not everything is going to perish in an acidified ocean," said Waldbusser.

Olympia oysters used to grow from Baja California to Vancouver Island. But during the 1890s, they were harvested until 90 percent had disappeared.

They’re now found sparingly in Yaquina, Netarts and Coos Bays.