Oyster Research and Restoration in U.S. Coastal Waters: Research Priorities and Strategies

Chesapeake Bay Virginia National Estuarine Research Reserve. Planting oysters grown on floats at York River State Park, June 2000. This was done in conjunction with a Rotary Club Conference.

Photo courtesy NOAA National Estuarine Research Reserve Collection

Research Priorities and Strategies

National Oyster Disease Research Program (ODRP)

ODRP began with a Congressional mandate in 1990 after disease was identified as a major factor in the decline of the mid-Atlantic oyster industry. Other coastal regions in the U.S., including the Gulf Coast and the Pacific Coast, were also experiencing significant oyster mortalities. To assist resource managers and oyster fisheries, ODRP research has focused on the following array of disease issues:

Optimum strategies for managing around diseases;

Understanding the processes of parasitic infection;

Improved understanding of the oysterís immune system;

Hatchery techniques for producing disease-resistant strains;

Molecular tools to better monitor the onset and presence of disease.

To date, some $20 million has been invested on research; among the achievements have been:

Development of new tools for disease diagnosis;

Successful breeding and culture of disease resistant oyster strains;

Development of new models on the interaction of disease and environmental factors;

Development of a new understanding of the disease process at the cellular level;

and Identification of several strains of known diseases and new species of shellfish parasites.

Gulf Oyster Industry Initiative (GOIP)

GOIP was created in 1999 as a result of efforts by the Gulf Oyster Industry Council, a cross-section of Gulf oyster industry leaders, state resource managers and academic researchers. Congressional support identified several key areas of research: Human pathogenic organisms; Consumer attitudes; Oyster diseases; Coastal restoration and freshwater diversions; Labor and mechanization in the oyster industry; Genetics and oyster hatchery technology; Harmful algal blooms and water pollution issues. About $4 million has been invested on these issues - among the program's achievements are: Rapid detection and quantification of human pathogens in oysters; New post-harvest treatments and evaluation of those treatments to help assure public health; Increased understanding of harmful algal species; An increased public education program targeted at immune compromised individuals to help reduce human health risks.

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