#$%^&*AU2012203347A120130110.pdf#####Abstract of Invention & Method This invention uses the drying method to control the overgrowth of spat on Rock Oysters grown in the intertidal zone, by eliminating the human labour intensive process of removing the oyster baskets from its furniture to the place where it will dry. The invention achieves this by growing the oyster on a reusable raft capable of being either: (a) fully submerged, remaining on the seabed of the intertidal zone (secured in a fashion within the lease area) to facilitate the cultivation process during the natural high tide and remaining on the seabed during low tides； and (b) floated fully above the water surface at both high tide and low tide to facilitate the drying process, without the need to remove the oyster baskets from the raft. The raft remains anchored to the seabed in the intertidal zone by being submerged on the seabed throughout the range of the tide until the oysters require drying and tethered by any appropriate means (J) to a mooring pin (1). When required to initiate the drying process having regard to the cultivation process adopted, the raft is made watertight by sealing the valve holes (F) on the base of the floatation chambers/buoyancy tanks (A) at low tide with a valve (H). The result is that when the tide naturally rises, the raft floats holding the oysters clear of the water and allowing the drying process to occur wherein unwanted spat and other marine growth will desiccate and die； allowing for a cleaner and more marketable oyster. During the drying phase a protective shade cloth (K) is attached and spread over the raft. After sufficient drying, the cover (K) is removed and the watertight integrity breached by removing the valve (H), allowing seawater to engulf the flotation chambers/buoyancy tanks (A) through the valve holes (F)at the next rising tide ensuring the raft remains submerged on the seabed in the intertidal zone
