"The Pacific Coast oyster industry is dependent upon imported oyster seed from Japan. Inconsistent quantity and quality of the imported seed is limiting growth and expansion of the oyster industry while the demand for marketable oysters is increasing. The development of oyster hatcheries on the Pacific Coast could provide the oyster industry with a continuous supply of seed needed for increased production. Controlled hatchery conditions would also provide better quality oyster seed production through selective breeding. The main objectives of the first year were to develop spawning and setting techniques for Pacific Coast molluscs." (from the Introduction)