DEI has been working to master the culture of European oysters, Ostrea edulis, an important commercial species, in the hatchery and nursery, as well as growing them to commercial sizes in the field.  This includes broodstock conditioning, hatchery culture techniques that include methods for rearing larvae at commercial densities, and developing nursery grow-out procedures.  In addition, field trials with cultured juveniles are underway to examine techniques that will result in the production of commercial densities and sizes.