ABC Outreach

ABC Crew on Marine Science Day ABC employees volunteer their time to teach the public about ABC's mission and activities on Marine Science Day. Photo courtesy ABC
Marine Science Day tour Shelley Katsuki speaks to visitors about spawning oysters on Marine Science Day. Visitors are able to observe swimming oyster larvae on a display screen that's connected to a microscope camera. Photo by Eric Guévélou
Marine Science Day table Shelley Katsuki and Kate Ritter Sage speak to hatchery visitors on Marine Science Day. Once a year, VIMS is opened to the public for tours and presentations. Photo by Eric Guévélou
Oyster Anatomy Joey Matt & Joana Sousa speak to a visitor on Marine Science Day. He has shucked an oyster at the filter feeding station so visitors can take a closer look at its internal anatomy. Photo by Eric Guévélou
Expanding young minds Lauren Gregg speaks to two children in the hatchery on Marine Science Day. She explains oyster metamorphosis and how oyster seed can stick to other oyster shells or be raised individually. Photo by Eric Guévélou

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Karen Sisler speaks to two visitors on Marine Science Day. She shows them oyster seed in the nursery and explains how to care for the young oysters. Educational outreach is an important part of the mission of the Aquaculture and Breeding Technology Center. ABC and VIMS staff host tours for citizens, industry groups, and government officials on a regular basis. ABC scientists give talks in Gloucester Point as part of VIMS’ After Hours Lecture Series, and also travel to external sites as part of the Speaker's Bureau and Parks Program.

Algologist Amanda Chesler-Poole at her algae station on Marine Science Day. She uses this display to teach VIMS campus visitors about the imporance of nutrition in raising healthy oysters in the hatchery. Each spring, VIMS hosts thousands of guests during Marine Science Day. At the oyster hatchery, ABC staff will walk you through the oyster spawning process, life cycle, and various hatchery and grow-out techniques. Independent stations inside the hatchery allow you and your family to soak up information at your own pace. You can observe live larvae swimming under a microscope, as well as young oyster seed growing outside in the nursery.

Want to take a tour group through the Gloucester Point oyster hatchery or the Kauffman Aquaculture Center? Visit the VIMS Public Tours page, or contact VIMS’ Outreach Programs at (804) 684-7061.