Winshell

WINSHELL Support

Winshell is a shellfish model to determine individual shellfish growth for oysters, clams and mussels. It is part of the new Software-as-a-Service concept which allows the application to run directly off the web.

Winshell support provides information about running the Winshell model. In order for the Winshell model to run users must specify:

  • Species Type
  • Model Specifications
  • Seed Size
  • Drivers

SPECIES & MODEL SPECS

The Species and Model Specifications requires the user to input the type of species to be modelled (Manila Clam, Pacific Oyster or Mediterranean Mussel) and general model specifications that include the start day, runtime days, number of animals and the box volume.

Winshell Species and Model Specs

Species - Manila Clam, Pacific Oyster or Mediterranean Mussel.

The major subdivision of a genus or subgenus, regarded as the basic category of biological classification, composed of related individuals that resemble one another, are able to breed among themselves, but are not able to breed with members of another species.

Start day - The starting day for the model.

Runtime (days) - The duration (number of days) for which the Winshell model simulates growth.

No. of animals - The number of animals being modelled.

Box volume (m3) - The size of the physical area (m3) being modelled.

DRIVERS

The Drivers inputted by the user are the data the model uses to simulate shellfish growth. Data can be added or deleted manually in the Drivers table using the 'Add New Row' and 'Delete Rows' buttons. Data can also be imported or saved using the 'Load' and 'Save' button. The most common approach for inserting large datasets is to import the data into the Drivers table using the 'Load' button.

Winshell Drivers

Julian Day (days) - A calendar notation in which one number represents the date. Julian numbers are also used within a single year; for example, February 1 is Julian 32.

Temperature (ºc) - The water temperature in degrees Celsius.

All plants, animals, bacteria, and algae have a temperature that they prefer, and most grow quicker in warmer waters. Warm water holds less oxygen than cold water, and this makes the summer months more likely to have dangerously low levels of oxygen.

Salinity - Salinity is a measure of how much salt is in the water.

Salinity is usually measured in parts per thousand (ppt) units. Parts per thousand are how many grams of salt are dissolved per litre of water.

Chlorophyll (ug L-1) - Chlorophyll a is the green pigment found in plants and algae.

Plants and algae use this pigment to trap the energy from the sun so they can grow. Chlorophyll a is measured in micrograms per litre (µ g/l) units.

Micrograms per litre is micrograms of chlorophyll a per litre of water. In estuaries, chlorophyll a measurements can range from 1 µ g/L to higher than 20-µ g/L.

Particulate Organic Matter (POM) - Particulate material in the sea derived from the decomposition of the non-mineral constituents of living organisms.

SEED & HARVEST SIZE

Users must specify the Total Fresh Weight of the individual seed (grams). The model determines the Total Fresh Weight and Length of the Seed at Harvest Size.

Winshell Seed and Harvest Size

Total Fresh Weight (TFW) -The total fresh weight of an individual animal.

Length - The length in centimetres of an individual animal, e.g. (Pacific oyster).

RESULTS

The Winshell Results produces a table and a graph with the simulated growth of the animal. The Results column shows the user the evolution the animal growth with outputs such as weight, length, etc.

Users can download the results using the 'Save' button.

GET IN TOUCH

If you would like to know more about Winshell or have any questions talk to us.

RELEVANT LINKS

Winshell

Start modelling oyster, clam and mussel growth in real time for free. For Winshell professional, users must complete a short registration form.

« back