The effect of different grading equipment on stress levels assessed by catecholamine measurements in Pacific oysters, Crassostrea gigas (Thunberg)

Significant increases (P < 0.05) in circulating noradrenaline and dopamine levels were observed in oysters graded by the Flat Bed and the Inside/Out graders. The circulating noradrenaline concentrations in oysters subjected to the Flat Bed grader were significantly higher (P < 0.05) than those observed in the Rotary graded oysters and close to being significantly higher (P = 0.052) than those levels measured in the Inside/Out graded oysters. The circulating noradrenaline levels in oysters subjected to the Inside/Out grader were, in turn, significantly higher than those recorded in the Rotary graded oysters. These results suggest that in relation to the three graders used in South Australia, the Flat Bed induces the highest stress levels in oysters and the Rotary grader the lowest.