ENVE student explores predatory oysters during international co-op

Calvin Veenkamp, a second-year environmental engineering student spent four months wading in and out of the inter-tidal zone of the Oosterschelde near the Yerseke, a small town where the main industry is shellfish cultivation.

Veenkamp worked with researchers at HZ University of Applied Sciences in Vlissingen, Zeeland investigating ways of reducing the devastation caused by predatory marine snails, known as Japanese Oyster Drills, on the local oyster industry.

The project Veenkamp took part in is focused on coming up with recommendations for farmers on how to minimize the negative effects of the oyster drills rather than eliminating the predators. .

Veenkamp ran experiments on the feeding habits of the oyster drill to discover whether it has a preference for a fertile as opposed to an infertile oyster and whether it is attracted to one with a certain shell size or shape.

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