Shellfish Aquaculture Program
Virginia Institute of Marine Science
Who We Are
The Shellfish Aquaculture Program (SAP) serves as an organic collaboration of the many VIMS faculty, staff, and students conducting research, outreach, and advisory services in support of shellfish aquaculture. SAP has no formal hierarchy, but the collaboration is coordinated by Dr. Bill Walton.
Mission
Advance and support a thriving sustainable shellfish aquaculture community in Virginia and the United States, through globally relevant shellfish aquaculture science, outreach, and education.
Shellfish Aquaculture Groups
The following are legacy programs/facilities that have a significant focus on shellfish aquaculture research, advisory service, and education and thus serve as the core of the Shellfish Aquaculture Program at VIMS.
Associated Shellfish Aquaculture Groups
Areas of Research
We strive to support sustainable shellfish aquaculture growth in Virginia and beyond by applying diverse expertise in response to production issues, researching actionable solutions to improve production, providing tools to improve management, and supporting resiliency with forward-thinking research. Here are a few examples of our work in the key focal areas.
Aquaculture & Environmental Interactions
Bivalve aquaculture, such as Virginia’s dominant hard clam and oyster sectors, involves direct interaction with the surrounding environment. For example, gear used in oyster aquaculture provides a structure that helps maintain important habitats, slows shoreline erosion rates, and provides a surface for species to adhere to and seek refuge in, increasing biodiversity within and surrounding an aquaculture operation. Understanding the ecological impacts of aquaculture on the surrounding ecosystem will help minimize or avoid potential negative effects as the industry expands.
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Primary production monitoring to inform shellfish aquaculture
Point of Contact: Mark Brush
Sustaining the current shellfish aquaculture industry in Virginia and enabling future expansion depend on an adequate food supply for the shellfish; phytoplankton primary production.
Researchers in SAP have instituted a monitoring program to measure phytoplankton primary production in shallow tributaries around the lower Chesapeake Bay to calculate food availability for cultured bivalves. Monitoring sites collecting monthly phytoplankton primary production data include Cherrystone Inlet and Mobjack Bay.
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Cherrystone Inlet Ecosystem Model
Point of Contact: Mark Brush
Previous VIMS graduate student Michael Kuschner developed an ecosystem model including hard clam aquaculture in Cherrystone Inlet in 2015. The model was used to quantify clam growth and harvest biomass as a function of stocking density, food sources supporting clam growth, the influence of cultured clams on water quality, and the potential impacts of climate change. We have recently updated the model to include cultured oysters and are simulating the growth and harvest biomass of both species in the system.
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SAV-Clam Aquaculture Interactions
Point of Contact: Mark Brush , Chris Patrick
This project explores the interactions between hard clam aquaculture and submerged aquatic vegetation (SAV) on the seaside of the VAES. We are combining existing and new data with our previously developed models of VAES watershed loading, lagoon ecosystem response, hard clams, and eelgrass to quantify the ecosystem services provided by both habitats.
Genetic Improvement
Genetic techniques can be used for short and long-term genetic improvement in aquaculture species. Genetic improvements are critical for the resiliency of the shellfish industry to produce incremental gains such as faster growth and preparing for future threats in a changing climate. The Aquaculture Genetics & Breeding Technology Center (ABC) provides legacy oyster breeding and research, resulting in improved broodstock for the commercial industry. This work continues to evolve. Additional collaborations across SAP have expanded genetic technology applications to the characterization of hard clams and other species under commercial development, which are critical for the development of genetic tools.
Initial development of a genetic testing service to support industry hard clam breeding
Point of Contact: Jan McDowell
Virginia is home to a mature hard clam aquaculture industry, the largest in the United States. Hard clam aquaculture preceded the growth of the oyster culture industry in the mid-Atlantic region, and unlike the oyster aquaculture industry that developed alongside the breeding program and genetic expertise at the Aquaculture Genetics & Breeding Technology Center (ABC) at VIMS, the clam industry largely developed broodstock lines independently. Industry leaders are looking to the future and are interested in assessing the genetic diversity of their broodstock to ensure sustainability and resilience, especially considering the potential dangers from climate and disease-related threats.
Previous work at VIMS has characterized the geographic genetic variation in hard clams along the east coast of the United States and identified a subset of informative genetic markers for differentiating between wild stocks. However, the genetic diversity of VA-cultured clams remains unknown. This effort was a combination of science and extension, providing industry a look at the genetic variation among hard clam populations in the mid-Atlantic region and a baseline for comparison of aquaculture lines to wild animals. This collaborative work will continue to build and provide the industry with a way to evaluate the genetic health of their proprietary stocks, which will inform their breeding practices.
From Sequence to Consequence: Genomic selection to expand and improve selective breeding for the Eastern oyster
Point of Contact: Jessica Small
This research highlights a regional partnership of geneticists, the East Coast Oyster Breeding Consortium , to provide proof-of-principle for the application of genome-based tools to existing Eastern oyster breeding programs and to outline standard procedures for the expansion of breeding to fulfill the needs of a diverse industry. ABC’s specific intent with this research is to examine the potential for using genomic selection in Eastern oysters and applying it to ABC’s family breeding program. The application of genomic selection could then be transferred to the commercial oyster industry via newly improved ABC broodstock lines.
Explore the map to the right to view the East Coast Oyster Breeding Consortium participants.
ABC Rappahannock Broodstock Farm
Environmental Challenges
The Chesapeake Bay has been identified as a vulnerable region due to the emergence of multiple environmental stressors. The over-enriching of coastal waters with nutrients like nitrogen and phosphorus causes algae to grow too quickly; disrupting the water chemistry and quality. Heavy precipitation events are predicted with global climate change scenarios, which can result in eutrophication, dead zones, and decreased salinity levels in coastal areas. The success of the Virginia shellfish aquaculture industry partially relies on understanding how these cultured species react to these emerging environmental challenges.
Sudden Unusual Mortality Events
Point of Contact: Bill Walton
There has been a relatively recent emergence of elevated mortality of oysters at farms along the US Atlantic and Gulf of Mexico coasts, which is an urgent concern for Eastern oyster aquaculture interests at the national level. The reason for the mortality remains a mystery and is unrelated to disease. Mortalities often occur around periods of peak oyster reproduction (spring and early summer) but may also affect oysters outside this window. It typically affects cultured oysters just before harvest. Due to its rising significance, the mortality syndrome has become a prominent area of focus for research at numerous institutions in the Eastern and Southern US, VIMS included, to move more rapidly toward solutions sustaining aquaculture production. While oysters are the original focus, other cultured shellfish such as the hard clam are also included in this work.
Explore the map to the right to view Sudden Unusual Mortality Events research collaborators.
Sudden Mortality Work
Vulnerability of oyster aquaculture and restoration to ocean acidification and other co-stressors in the Chesapeake Bay
Point of Contact: Marjy Friedrichs
A recent research project was conducted by a team of scientists from the Virginia Institute of Marine Science, Oregon State University, and Anchor QEA to evaluate how the compounding effects of multiple stressors affect oyster growth and oyster aquaculture production in the Chesapeake Bay. This research utilized extensive outreach to shellfish aquaculturists, including oyster farmers and resource managers, and cutting-edge science to evaluate how sensitive Chesapeake Bay oyster aquaculture is to past and projected future habitat conditions in the Bay.
Results from the project indicate that under future acidification, warming, and nutrient management, there will be substantial reductions in shell and tissue weights of Eastern oysters in the Chesapeake Bay. Lower oyster growth rates will be largely driven by lowered calcium carbonate saturation states and lowered food availability. Oyster aquaculture practices in the region could also be affected. Natural selection in wild oysters and selective breeding in hatchery-based aquaculture in response to changing conditions may help mitigate some of these impacts. Choices about where to locate oyster farm operations may become increasingly important as impacts will be highly variable across the Bay.
The results of the study are presented on an interactive web map that visualizes the modeled influence of numerous oyster stressors on aquaculture harvest landings. Explore the project-specific webpage and interactive map on the right for more information.
Improving Aquaculture Production
Virginia leads the nation in hard clam production, and the East Coast in Eastern oyster production. Eastern oyster production is the most rapidly developing sector of Virginia’s shellfish aquaculture industry. For the industry to continue expanding, it is important to identify methods that: increase fertilization success and survival in the hatchery, optimize methods of larval rearing, setting, and field grow-out, and better understand the effect of domestication and genotype-by-environment interactions. Additionally, there is an opportunity to improve efficiency and profitability through innovative techniques and new technology, positioning the industry to thrive and be a national leader. Co-culture of multiple species, multi-trophic aquaculture, and the culture of new species will further expand the Virginia aquaculture industry.
Commercial Shellfish Aquaculture Lab & Team (C-SALT)
Point of Contact: Bill Walton
C-SALT is dedicated to the VIMS’ Shellfish Aquaculture Program mission to advance and support a thriving sustainable shellfish aquaculture community in Virginia and the United States, through globally relevant shellfish aquaculture science, outreach and education.
To contribute to this mission, our team strives to achieve three integrated research goals, while also working to develop highly capable individuals skilled in and knowledgeable about shellfish aquaculture production:
- Improve shellfish aquaculture production, quality, profitability and environmental sustainability
- Increase resilience of the shellfish aquaculture industry through innovation, diversification and adaptation
- Assess factors that affect consumer demand for shellfish
Characterizing the role of toxic phytoplankton byproducts in shellfish hatchery failures
Point of Contact: Juliette Smith
A troublesome new syndrome was observed in young oyster larvae at several regional hatcheries in 2020, resulting in production failures that decreased seed output by over 40%. Moribund, dwarfed, and delayed in development, affected larvae displayed pale digestive glands suggesting the failure of digestion despite a stomach full of microalgal food. The signs reappeared in 2021, demonstrating the disease’s persistence. Similar signs presented across a wide geography, with reports of oyster seed not digesting their food and therefore not growing at hatcheries in Maine, New York, and Virginia. Preliminary work conducted by one of these hatcheries, Mook Sea Farm (Maine), demonstrated a link between the signs and toxic phytoplankton byproducts in the hatchery water. This timely project builds on this information, expanding the study to include three East Coast hatcheries and experts in disease and lipidomics. Through partnerships between industry and academia, this project strives to understand this new but persistent disease, increase awareness along the East Coast, and identify mitigation technology to avoid or minimize symptoms to improve product yield.
This project is one example of the research in support of hatchery production that is ongoing in the SAP.
Shellfish Health and Biosecurity
Historically, disease often spread through the transfer of shellfish has had devastating effects on shellfish stocks and aquaculture farms along the East Coast of the United States. It is important to regulate and streamline the transfer of seed between locations to control for disease. Hatchery production is critical to the shellfish aquaculture industry in Virginia and effective management of shellfish pathogens, both endemic and emerging, remains key to sustainable aquaculture development.
Chesapeake Bay Environmental Forecasting System
Point of Contact: Marjorie Friedrichs
The Chesapeake Bay Environmental Forecasting System (CBEFS) provides real-time nowcasts and forecasts of salinity, temperature, hypoxia, and acidification metrics such as pH. We now include nowcasts/forecasts of Vibrio bacteria along with various harmful algal blooms. Additionally, we are establishing a prototype alert system that will send automated alerts when thresholds for the probable occurrence of these noxious organisms.
To ensure end users are involved in the development and design of our operational management tools, we are partnering with extension specialists to conduct Stakeholder Focus Group meetings to receive end-user feedback on the format and content of the forecasts.
Regional Shellfish Seed Biosecurity Program (RSSBP)
Point of Contact: Ryan Carnegie and Karen Hudson
The RSSBP is a collaboration of industry, scientists, regulators, and extension using the best available science to minimize risks associated with interstate seed transfers of bivalve shellfish. VIMS brings legacy molluscan shellfish histopathology expertise of Ryan Carnegie to the Program along with the Marine Advisory Program / Virginia Sea Grant extension capacity of Karen Hudson to facilitate the Hatchery Compliance Program. The Program is growing rapidly, helping support and document the biosecurity practices of hatcheries throughout the region.
Socioeconomics and Workforce Development
It is important to understand how society perceives and interacts with the shellfish aquaculture industry for the industry to grow and expand. Societal changes and/or changes in the economic climate may make it difficult for the industry to succeed and action may be necessary to help overcome these obstacles. Furthermore, with increasing production, there may be a need to expand markets and increase consumer demand. Understanding marketing opportunities, consumer attitudes, and distribution channels may increase in importance.
Labor Demand, Supply, And Associated Constraints Under Alternative Production Methods In The Bivalve Shellfish Culture Industry
Point of Contact: Andrew Scheld
This project will improve understanding of labor supply and demand in the bivalve shellfish aquaculture industry. It will also provide practical tools to the industry for measuring and improving production efficiency while informing policy actions aimed at augmenting labor supply and/or increasing labor-saving production methods and technologies. Data necessary to accomplish these objectives will be collected using interviews, a stated preference survey, and regular reporting of production practices by partnering farms and a research farm. By improving our understanding of labor constraints and possible solutions, this project will facilitate sustained growth of the shellfish aquaculture industry.
Specific objectives include:
- Determine labor, material, and physical capital requirements for different grow-out methods and evaluate the substitutability of technology for labor
- Assess employer and employee views on existing labor structures, the potential for alternative models, and the substitution of technology for labor
- Quantify industry labor demand, costs associated with labor shortages, impacts of exogenous stressors on labor (e.g., COVID-19, climate change, energy prices), and willingness to invest or participate in programs designed to address labor issues
- Develop a productivity benchmarking software tool and make it available to the industry
- Conduct extensive outreach to communicate findings regarding labor supply and demand, existing constraints, and potential solutions
Virginia Oyster Productivity Information Tool
Point of Contact: Kirk Havens
The most rapid expansion of the aquaculture industry in Virginia has been in hatchery-based production of cage-cultured oysters on private grounds. Conflicts have arisen between new user groups residing along the Chesapeake Bay shore, and a growing industry that works primarily in nearshore waters. Additionally, as the shoreline has been developed, there are limited access points along the waterfront where commercial activity can occur. This study characterized the oyster industry as it exists today, examined the regulatory framework, and closely examined major issues that impact future expansion.
The majority of this study was conducted within the framework of GIS and used geospatial data from mapping and monitoring databases collected over many years. These data were used to map, model, and assess environmental conditions, productivity on public grounds, management boundaries, ecological conflicts, and the spatial distribution of cultured oyster productivity as indicated by harvest productivity. These assessments helped determine if there were opportunities for aquaculture expansion in Virginia within the current boundaries constrained by public and private grounds without generating new or added conflict. The maps can be used to examine current Baylor Ground and private lease productivity, along with potential future aquaculture sites within Baylor Grounds based on restoration potential and environmental constraints. A policy and regulation review examining the use of public Baylor Grounds and the private leasing system conducted by the William & Mary Law School is also included.
Workforce Development
Labor supply is one of the top issues facing the aquaculture industry nationwide. The SAP at VIMS provides ongoing support for industry labor needs through The Oyster Aquaculture Training Program (OAT), an annual paid 6-month internship program with a special focus on hatchery-skill training run by the Aquaculture Genetics and Breeding Technology Center (ABC). There is also a summer internship program for local students at the Eastern Shore Laboratory and the Marine Advisory Program’s engagement of high school students and counselors on Resources for Careers in Aquaculture.
Explore the map on the right to see the variety of OAT and other workforce program employers.
