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Oysters

Oysters were historically a keystone species in Chesapeake Bay, filtering water and providing habitat for numerous Bay organisms through their reefs. Today they stand at 1% of their original population. Oyster research at VIMS focuses on restoration of the native oyster Crassostrea virginica. VIMS also played a key role in evaluating the potential use of the non-native Asian oyster C. ariakensis.

Top Stories | Crest Articles | Adv Service Reports | Labs & Groups | SRAMSOE | Articles | Dissertations | Links

Top Stories

Report shows $11M direct loss to VA oyster industry from Gulf spill (August 2010)
Report estimates total, "water-to-table" losses of $30.1 million as imports of Gulf oysters dry up.

Va. Aquaculture Survey shows growth in oysters, shift in clams (July 2010)
Sales of Virginian-grown shellfish show mixed response to the slowing economy. Plantings and projections of Virginia's oysters and clams were also mixed in 2009.

Senator Warner visits VIMS to discuss oyster restoration (July 2010)
Visit coincides with a growing recognition that increased disease resistance, a local surge in oyster aquaculture, and recently announced federal restoration goals promise new opportunities for restoring Bay oysters.

VIMS oyster study confirms early Jamestown drought (June 2010)
A VIMS study of 400-year-old oyster shells from the Jamestown settlement confirms that a harsh drought plagued the early years of the colony and made the James River much saltier than today.

VIMS a partner in Coastal America Award (January 2010)
The Lynnhaven River Oyster Restoration Team is honored for innovative efforts to restore the river's oyster population.

Long-term study shows oysters developing disease resistance (December 2009)
VIMS' 50-year monitoring program shows that Chesapeake Bay oysters are developing resistance to the diseases that have helped devastate their population.

NOAA's Aquaculture Director to keynote Aquaculture Conference (October 2009)
Aquaculture experts will present at this year's Virginia Aquaculture Conference on November 13 and 14 in Williamsburg, VA.

Study shows taller reefs in large sanctuaries are key to oyster restoration (July 2009)
A 5-year study of oyster-restoration techniques in Chesapeake Bay shows that taller reefs in an extensive network of large sanctuaries is critical for re-establishing self-sustaining populations of native oysters.

VIMS to help restore marine life to seaside bays (July 2009)
VIMS researchers will collaborate with public and private partners on a new effort to restore oysters, seagrass, and bay scallops to Virginia's seaside bays.

Survey reflects rapid expansion of Virginia’s oyster aquaculture (June 2009)
A survey of Virginia’s oyster farmers shows a dramatic increase in the number of seed and larvae sold between 2007 and 2008.

VIMS trains interns in oyster aquaculture (June 2009)
VIMS begins a new program to train the skilled workers needed to advance Chesapeake Bay’s rapidly growing oyster-farming industry.

VIMS releases manual to help oyster growers (February 2009)
Booklet outlines methods for “spat-on-shell” oyster culture.

Survey shows growth in VA clam, oyster aquaculture (June 2008)
A survey by researchers with the Sea Grant program at VIMS shows that shellfish farmers planted more than half a billion clams and 18 million oysters in Virginia waters last year.

Jamestown studies (May 2007)
In this National Geographic video, Dr. Juli Harding discusses her use of oyster shells to shed light on environmental conditions during the early years of the Jamestown Settlement. 

VIMS updates Fishing Report (Dec 2005)
VIMS researchers update their seminal 1997 study of how commercial and recreational fishing contribute to Virginia's economy.

VIMS helps restore Wicomico oysters (March 2005)
A disease-tolerant oyster strain developed at VIMS underpins the latest and largest effort to restore native oysters to Chesapeake Bay.

Crest Articles

 

Advisory Service Reports

Non-native oysters
Native Oysters and Restoration
Shellfish Diseases

Labs, Centers, and Groups

Special Reports in Applied Marine Science and Ocean Engineering (SRAMSOE)

  1. Kirkley JE. 1997. Virginia's Commercial Fishing Industry : Its Economic Performance and Contributions. Report 337. 77 pp.
  2. Barber BJ, and R Mann. 1991. Estimation of Standing Stock of Oysters in the James River, Virginia, Using Commercial Fishing Records. Report 310. pp.
  3. Hargis WJ, and DS Haven. 1988. The Imperilled Oyster Industry of Virginia : A Critical Analysis with Recommendations for Restoration. Report 290. 130 pp.
  4. Johnson HB, JG Loesch, WH Kriete, JG Travelstead, EJ Foell, and MA Hennigar. 1981. Biology and Management of Mid-Atlantic Anadromous Fishes under Extended Jurisdiction. Report 236. 191, xi, 201 pp.
  5. Zaborski J, and DS Haven. 1980. Oyster Mortalities in the Upper Rappahannock River and in the Virginia Tributaries of the Lower Potomac : Their Association with High River Discharge and Low Salinity. Report 241. pp.
  6. Zaborski J. 1979. A Description of the Commercial Marine Fisheries of Virginia. Report 233. pp.
  7. Merriner JV, and JW Smith. 1979. A Report to the Oyster Industry of Virginia on the Biology and Management of the Cownose Ray (Rhinoptera bonasus, Mitchill) in Lower Chesapeake Bay. Report 216. pp.
  8. Haven DS, WJ Hargis, and PC Kendall. 1978. The Oyster Industry of Virginia : Its Status, Problems and Promise. Report 168. 149 pp.
  9. Burrell VG, M Castagna, and RK Dias. 1972. A Study of the Commercial and Recreational Fisheries of the Eastern Shore of Virginia, Accomack and Northampton Counties : History Review and Recommendations for Improvements. Report 20. pp.
  10. Andrews JD. 1955. Reports on Freshwater Kill of Oysters in Rappahannock River Caused by Hurricanes Connie and Diana. Report 1. 78 pp.

Journal Articles

  1. Mann, R, Harding, JM, Southworth, MJ. 2009. Reconstructing pre-colonial oyster demographics in Chesapeake Bay, USA. Estuarine, Coastal and Shelf Science. In press.
  2. Mann, R, Southworth, MJ, Harding, JM, Wesson, JA. 2009. Population studies of the native oyster, Crassostrea virginica, (Gmelin, 1791) in the James River, Virginia, USA. Journal of Shellfish Research. 28(2): 193-220.
  3. Harding, JM, Mann, R, Southworth, MJ. 2008. Shell length-at-age relationships in James River, Virginia oysters (Crassostrea virginica) collected four centuries apart. Journal of Shellfish Research. 27(5): 1109-1116
  4. Moss, J. A., and coauthors. 2007. Pathogens in Crassostrea ariakensis and other Asian oyster species: implications for non-native oyster introduction to Chesapeake Bay. Diseases of Aquatic Organisms 77(3):207-223.
  5. Mann, R., and E. N. Powell. 2007. Why oyster restoration goals in the Chesapeake Bay are not and probably cannot be achieved. Journal of Shellfish Research:905–917.
  6. Moss, J. A., E. M. Burreson, and K. S. Reece. 2006. Advanced Perkinsus marinus infections in Crassostrea ariakensis maintained under laboratory conditions. Journal of Shellfish Research 25(1):65-72.
  7. Carlsson, J., C. L. Morrison, and K. S. Reece. 2006. Wild and aquaculture populations of the eastern oyster compared using microsatellites. Journal of Heredity 97(6):595-598.
  8. Encomio, V. G., S. M. Stickler, S. K. Allen, and F. L. Chu. 2005. Performance of "natural dermo-resistant" oyster stocks-survival, disease, growth, condition and energy reserves. Journal of Shellfish Research 24(1):143-155.
  9. Liu, Z. J., and J. F. Cordes. 2004. DNA marker technologies and their applications in aquaculture genetics. Aquaculture 242(1-4):735-736.
  10. Carnegie, R. B., and N. Cochennec-Laureau. 2004. Microcell parasites of oysters: Recent insights and future trends. Aquatic Living Resources 17(4):519-528.
  11. Burreson, E. M., N. A. Stokes, R. B. Carnegie, and M. J. Bishop. 2004. Bonamia sp (Haplosporidia) found in nonnative oysters Crassostrea ariakensis in Bogue Sound, North Carolina. Journal of Aquatic Animal Health 16(1):1-9.
  12. Mann, R and Evans, D. 2004. Site selection for oyster habitat rehabilitation in the Virginia portion of the Chesapeake Bay: A commentary. Journal of Shellfish Research. 23(1): 41-49.
  13. Southworth, MJ and Mann, R. 2004. Decadal scale changes in seasonal patterns of oyster recruitment in the Virginia subestuaries of the Chesapeake Bay. Journal of Shellfish Research. 23(2): 391-402.
  14. Frankic, A., and C. Hershner. 2003. Sustainable aquaculture: developing the promise of aquaculture. Aquaculture International 11(6):517-530.
  15. Carnegie, R. B., B. J. Barber, and D. L. Distel. 2003. Detection of the oyster parasite Bonamia ostreae by fluorescent in situ hybridization. Diseases of Aquatic Organisms 55(3):247-252.
  16. Harding, JM and Mann, R. 2003. Influence of habitat on diet and distribution of striped bass (Morone saxatilis) in a temperate estuary. Bulletin of Marine Science. 72(3): 841-851.
  17. Kator, H., and M. Rhodes. 2001. Elimination of fecal coliforms and F-specific RNA coliphage from oysters (Crassostrea virginica) relaid in floating containers. Journal of Food Protection 64(6):796-801.
  18. Calvo, G. W., M. W. Luckenbach, S. K. Allen, and E. M. Burreson. 2001. A comparative field study of Crassostrea ariakensis (Fujita 1913) and Crassostrea virginica (Gmelin 1791) in relation to salinity in Virginia. Journal of Shellfish Research 20(1):221-229.
  19. Harding, JM and Mann, R. 2001a. Oyster reefs as fish habitat: Opportunistic use of restored reefs by transient fishes. Journal of Shellfish Research. 20(3):951-959.
  20. Harding, JM and Mann, R. 2001b. Diet and habitat use by bluefish, Pomatomus saltatrix, in a Chesapeake Bay estuary. Env. Biol. Fishes. 60:401-409.
  21. Burreson, E. M., N. A. Stokes, and C. S. Friedman. 2000. Increased virulence in an introduced pathogen: Haplosporidium nelsoni (MSX) in the eastern oyster Crassostrea virginica. Journal of Aquatic Animal Health 12(1):1-8.
  22. Harding, JM and Mann, R. 1999. Fish species richness in relation to restored oyster reefs, Piankatank River, Virginia. Bulletin of Marine Science 65(1): 289-300.
  23. Burreson, E. M., R. S. Alvarez, V. V. Martinez, and L. A. Macedo. 1994. Perkinsus marinus (Apicomplexa) as a Potential Source of Oyster Crassostrea virginica Mortality in Coastal Lagoons of Tabasco, Mexico. Diseases of Aquatic Organisms 20(1):77-82.
  24. Shpigel, M., and R. A. Blaylock. 1991. The Pacific Oyster, Crassostrea gigas, as a biological filter for a marine fish aquaculture pond. Aquaculture 92(2-3):187-197.

Theses & Dissertations

  1. Moss, J. A. 2007. Characterization of exotic pathogens associated with the suminoe oyster, Crassostrea ariakensis. Ph.D. Dissertation. The College of William and Mary, Gloucester Pt. VA.
  2. Stickler, S. M. 2004. Natural dermo resistance and related defense mechanisms in eastern oysters, Crassostrea virginica, with implications for restoration. Ph.D. Dissertation. The College of William and Mary, Gloucester Pt. VA.
  3. Nestlerode, J. A. 2004. Evaluating restored oyster reefs in Chesapeake Bay: How habitat structure influences ecological function. Ph.D. Dissertation. The College of William and Mary, Gloucester Pt. VA.
  4. Encomio, V. G. 2004. A study of the eastern oyster, Crassostrea virginica: (1) Dermo tolerance, survival, growth, condition and Hsp70 expression in different geographic stocks; (2) Heat tolerance and effects of sublethal heat shock on survival and Hsp70 expression of infected and uninfected oysters. Ph.D. Dissertation. The College of William and Mary, Gloucester Pt. VA.

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