Hatchery and Spat

A successful hatchery requires skill and expertise in selecting the brood stock that show the best potential for breeding the most desirable qualities; rapid growth rate and good nacre colouring. Atlas is fortunate enough to employ some of the top specialists in this field.

After mature oysters are identified as suitable for breeding, spawning is encouraged through bedding the oysters in sea water free of contamination and controlling the temperature, water depth and salinity. Once fertilised, the eggs become swimming larvae and will start to feed within 20 hours and crawl within 16 days.

It is through a process of metamorphosis that the larvae will become young pearl oysters called ‘spat’. When they reach 1.5 – 2mm in size, the spat are moved onto protected collector ropes and taken out onto the farm to be hung from long-lines.

Over the next two years, the oysters will be nurtured, cleaned and protected until they are ready for seeding.