VIMS

Current Research: Stock Assessment

Assessing oyster populations in the BayQuantitative estimates of population size and demographic are fundamental to the management of the oyster resource. Beginning in the early 1990’s a collaborative program between the Virginia Marine Resources Commission and the Virginia Institute of Marine Science began a systematic annual stock assessment survey of the oyster resources of Virginia. This program remains active with surveys occurring every fall after the cessation of annual reproduction and recruitment of the local populations. Detailed methods and long term records have been published for selected Virginia subestuaries of Bay. Data continue to be used in active management decisions.

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