THE NATION'S OYSTERS: BELEAGUERED BY DISEASE
From the east coast to the west, America's oysters have faced an onslaught from disease. Subjected to overharvesting, pollution and habitat destruction, the eastern oyster has been besieged by parasitic disease for more than a decade. At the same time intensive culture of the Pacific oyster on the west coast has led to high summer mortalities. Now, Congressionally-supported research and outreach efforts have made advances that will help sustain these important species.

BREEDING DISEASE RESISTANCE IN THE HATCHERY
Even with very high mortalities, there are some eastern oysters that have a tolerance to parasitic disease and are resilient enough to survive. Researchers have been breeding these oysters and their survivors over a number of generations to produce oysters that can better resist disease.

PROSPECTS FOR DISEASE-FREE SEED
Is it possible to plant disease-free oysters in low salinity waters -- where disease may be present but is generally less virulent than higher and bring them harvest before Dermo or MSX kills them?

MODELING AROUND DISEASE
Computer models designed to simulate environmental conditions that are conducive to oyster disease are helping resource managers and aquaculturists tailor management strategies that can help minimize the impact of disease.

OYSTER FOES EAST & WEST
Whether they are microbes like bacteria and protozoans or larger organisms such as oyster drills, parasitic worms and crabs, oyster predators are natural to any ecosystem.

COMBATTING DISEASE IN THE CELL
Parasitic disease and the oyster immune system are at war on a cellular battlefield. Scientists are now able to peer into that hidden world and are detailing the biochemical armaments each uses — their aim is to develop tools that will eventually help the oyster marshal resources to better defend itself.

GETTING AROUND JUVENILE OYSTER DISEASE
Scientists have worked with growers to apply techniques from observational and experimental research to circumvent this disease.

NEW TOOLS FOR DIAGNOSING DISEASE
Laboratory methods for determining disease presence in oysters are often slow and imprecise; new techniques could soon be used in the field for rapid detection.

GLOSSARY

FOR MORE INFORMATION
The Oyster Disease Research Program (ODRP)
Sea Grant, Coastal Ecosystems And Oyster Restoration
Credits

Research & Restoration • Oysters