In search of cost-effective and resilient rafts for oyster farming, researchers from Osaka Metropolitan University recommend polyethylene rafts. Their research indicates that a polyethylene raft is approximately five times more durable compared to traditional bamboo rafts.
With the world’s population growing and a rising demand for food, there’s a pressing need for more sustainable options. The findings from a research team at Osaka Metropolitan University suggest that the introduction of more robust plastic rafts could lead to increased oyster production.
Typically, oyster cultivation relies on bamboo rafts, which often require additional flotation materials like Styrofoam. While these bamboo rafts are relatively inexpensive, they are susceptible to damage from severe weather such as typhoons. The researchers from OMU propose a polyethylene raft that balances affordability with an impressive fivefold increase in durability over bamboo rafts.
Leading the research, Associate Professor Yasunori Nihei from the OMU Graduate School of Engineering conducted numerical analyses and validated the raft’s performance by creating a prototype of the polyethylene design.
“The techniques we developed for numerical analysis in this study could be applied beyond just oyster farming, including the assessment of aquaculture pond performance,” stated Professor Nihei. “We aim for our research to significantly benefit the future development of the aquaculture sector.”
