Along the approximately 100 km of its Atlantic shoreline, the Virginia Eastern Shore remains one of the least developed coastal regions in the United States, with essentially no development on its barrier islands. This pristine area is uniquely suited for field research into coastal processes. The location provides convenient access to the eastern portion of the Chesapeake Bay and the barrier island, salt marsh-lagoonal systems along Virginia's Atlantic shore.
Widely recognized for its contributions to research in bivalve aquaculture, the Lab also supports activities of scientists and students from the Gloucester Point campus and other institutions. Recent research activities at the facility include: investigations into nitrogen cycling in salt mashes, disease transmission between mollusks, population dynamics of finfish and shellfish, chemical induction of settlement in invertebrates, and hydrodynamic characteristics of seagrass seeds.
Extensive wet laboratory facilities include running seawater tables and large holding tanks. A small hatchery for the culture of marine and estuarine organisms is especially well suited for mollusk culture. An on-site flume laboratory permits investigation of processes (hydrodynamic, sedimentological, and biological) in the benthic boundary layer.
Office and dry laboratory space are available to students and visiting investigators. An on-site dormitory can accommodate up to 28 visitors.