Biologists discover giant exotic oysters in San Francisco Bay

AP on Bakersfield Californian ^ | 8/18/06 | AP

[NormsRevenge]

Biologists have discovered giant invasive oysters that could threaten efforts to restore native oyster species in San Francisco Bay.

Government staffers and volunteers removed 256 of the exotic mollusks last week after searching the mudflats between the Dumbarton Bridge and the San Leandro Marina, biologists said Thursday.

Scientists have not identified the species, which grow up to 9 inches long and in a variety of shapes. They don't know how the exotic oysters got here or how they could affect the bay if their population expands.

Biologists are concerned the monster oysters could take over the best habitat and form reefs unsuitable for local fish and invertebrates. They could also threaten the bay's native Olympia oyster, Ostrea conchaphila, which usually grow no more than 2 1/2 inches long.

"We're really concerned about these nonnative oysters out-competing the native oysters," said Abe Doherty at the California State Coastal Conservancy.

A big empty shell of an exotic oyster first turned up more than two years ago near the eastern end of the Dumbarton Bridge. The species wasn't found again until three weeks ago when five large live oysters were discovered in the same area.

Wildlife officials quickly organized an effort to remove the unwelcome mollusks and hope they can eliminate them before they harm the bay ecosystem.

"We have a chance," said Andrew Cohen, who directs an invasive-species program at the San Francisco Estuary Institute. "We don't know if they're actively reproducing in the bay yet."

[NormsRevenge]

That was my thought as well, bilge water..

[The Electrician]

Mmmmmmmmmm... Giant invasive oysters...

[burroak]

What happened to the survival of the fittest? If they taste good, let Darwinism roll on.

[JennysCool]

Lets send all the red/greens down to protect them!!

I'd like to help. Really. But there's a Possum Lodge meeting that night.

[American Quilter]

Oyster stew--yum!

[Ironclad]

Geoduck ping. (For the uninitiated, that's pronounced, "gooey duck." No, I don't know why.)

---

It was a typographical error in a mid-1800s dictionary. The word reported to the dictionary was spelled "goeduck," which was one of several accepted spellings, but the "o" and the "e" were transposed, and subsequent dictionaries picked-up the error.

Additional info re 'ducks: I have heard the word was a Nisqually phrase meaning, literally, "dig deep." Also, FYI, geoduck digs are great chick magnets. Women love to see men working like hell for food in the mud, and large numbers of them will voluntarily attend a dig. Although, in my personal experience, none of them will go after the 'duck. That's strictly a man's job.

[wolfcreek]

Refer to post #16.........Looks like an 'aphrodisiac' to me! };>)

[CheneyChick]

ROFLMAO!

[Publius]

When you buy geoducks at the Pike Place Market, the clerk lowers the weight of the clam by removing the excess water. He does this by stroking and squeezing the siphon until it expels all its held water.

For some reason, women watching this ritual turn bright red.

[BJClinton]

What did you post? A pic of a geoduck?

[Oratam]

Oh boy, here come the "Oyster Encounter" boat trips. lol

[Rudder]

That's a geoduck in the pic you posted, a clam, not an oyster.

[tubebender]

I treasure my Red Green coffee cup...

[PBRSTREETGANG]

I was aware of that, but thanks.

(It was posted in response to another pictue of a geoduck which was since removed.)

[drlevy88]

it's hard to stay clam at this news