Oyster Tank Systems Explained: From Hatcheries to Wet Storage and Depuration
Oyster farming has grown rapidly in recent years, and with it comes a steady stream of questions about how land-based oyster systems actually work. At Aqua Production Systems, we talk to producers every day about the ins and outs of tanks—whether it’s holding oysters for market, raising spat, or managing water quality for depuration. Here’s a breakdown of the three main categories of oyster tank systems you’ll find in the industry today.
Hatcheries: Where It All Begins
Oyster hatcheries and nurseries are designed to produce spat (seed) for ocean grow-out. With wild spat collection becoming less predictable, hatcheries are becoming increasingly common. Running one, however, isn’t a part-time job. Expect long days, no weekends off during the cycle, and the need for someone who’s as comfortable with a microscope as they are with a net.
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Our role at APS is to take the complexity of hatchery systems and make daily operation as straightforward as possible. Think clear checklists, user-friendly controls, and reliable equipment. But no matter how well a system is designed, success still comes down to the operator’s consistent attention to the oysters themselves.
Wet Storage: The Workhorse of the Industry
Wet storage tanks are the simplest of the three systems, and also the most misunderstood. These tanks keep oysters market-ready while helping producers balance supply and demand or avoid harvest interruptions due to heavy rain, ice, or high bacterial counts.
One of the most common industry mistakes we see is overselling a full depuration system when all that’s needed is wet storage. The requirements from CFIA and FDA are clear—what matters most is oxygenation and temperature control. Without enough oxygen, oysters become stressed, producing cortisol that affects glycogen levels and, ultimately, taste. Temperature swings cause similar stress and metabolic changes. In short: stable, well-oxygenated tanks mean calmer oysters, better flavour, and happier customers.
Depuration: More About Paperwork Than Plumbing
Depuration systems allow producers to harvest and sell oysters even when bacterial counts would normally close the beds. The surprise for many is that the hard part isn’t building the system—it’s building the process.
Regulators don’t pre-approve “magic bullet” depuration designs. Instead, operators need a stack of documented processes: to prove oysters are safe to eat, to check each step along the way, to audit that checks are followed, and to fix anything that slips through. It’s this mountain of paperwork—not the tanks themselves—that keeps depuration systems so rare in Atlantic Canada.
Final Thoughts
At Aqua Production Systems, we design and build all three types of oyster tank systems—with a sharp eye on efficiency, effectiveness, and compliance. But here’s the takeaway: don’t underestimate the paperwork. In an industry where traceability adds value and “merroir” stories boost market appeal, documentation isn’t red tape—it’s a selling feature. Done right, it helps you command top dollar while protecting your brand and the broader oyster industry.