Oysters in Focus: Research Framework to Address Risk Factors and Support the EIS

Research Framework to Address Risk Factors and Support the EIS

NRC report identified short-term research objectives needed to address critical gaps and longer-term research goals, though not immediately applicable to a decision about introducing the non-native oyster.

The 5-year time frame frequently referenced to the NRC report is associated with the longer-term research goals.

Upon release of the NRC report in August 2003, MD DNR immediately began meeting with UMD and VIMS researchers to review the NRC risk factors and research recommendations.

UMD and VIMS proposals were submitted, reviewed and committed to by MD DNR within a few months. The typical timeframe for requesting proposals to initiating research projects in 12-18 months, but was shortened significantly.

Maryland and Virginia are implementing a research framework to support the EIS based upon recommendations from the National Research Council and Chesapeake Bay Program’s Scientific and Technical Advisory Committee.

Maryland has committed $1.7 million in FY2004 to support the EIS.
Virginia has committed $3.5 million since 1995 to support non-native oyster research.
NOAA and NC are funding additional research projects.
Private growers along the West coast continue to investigate the use of C. ariakensis.

Existing data and information, results of on-going studies, and results of population modeling will be used to answer the NRC risk questions. Maryland DNR has funded eleven currently on-going projects that will help address the above risk questions:

Project 1: An ecological risk assessment in support of a programmatic environmental impact statement to evaluate alternative approaches to increase oyster population in the Chesapeake Bay with the use of a demographic oyster population model that predicts population growth. (Risk questions 1, 4, 5, and 6.)
Project 2: Modeling dispersal of oyster larvae in the Chesapeake Bay to determine potential distance traveled and rate of oyster larvae dispersal using a coupled hydrodynamic and larval transport models, and linked to the demographic population model. (Risk questions 1, 4, 5, and 8.)
Project 3: Determine behavioral responses of C. ariakensis and C. virginica larvae to environmental change under spastically realistic conditions by varying combinations of salinity, temperature, and dissolved oxygen and quantifying settlement success (i.e. metamorphosis onto a substrate). (Risk questions 1, 4, 5, and 8.)
Project 4: Evaluate gametogenesis and spawning cues for diploid C. ariakensis for estimation of environmental risk by estimating reproductive timing and fecundity of C. ariakensis under low and medium salinity ranges and determining spawning cues from the combination of temperature and salinity. (Risk questions 1 and 8.)
Project 5: This project has several objectives including examining the reef building capabilities of C. ariakensis and the ecological interactions between C. ariakensis and C. virginica from larval settlement through juvenile (9 months), as well as determine the diploid C. ariakensis growth rate and disease susceptibility under typical salinity and temperature regimes. (Risk questions 1, 2, and 6.)
Project 6: Determine the susceptibility of C. ariakensis to the oyster pathogen Bonamia ostreae and Bonamia sp. (Risk question 2.)
Project 7: Determine the behavioral and substrate selection of C. ariakensis pediveliger larvae in response to variation in environmental conditions. (Risk questions 1 and 4.)
Project 8: Economic component of an environmental impact statement for the proposed action of the C. ariakensis introduction into the Chesapeake Bay to determine if there will be a market for C. ariakensis. (Risk question 7.)
Project 9: Investigating C. ariakensis reefs in Laizhou Bay, China so to characterize the physical environment around the reef, determine associate organisms of the oyster reef, determine the population and age structure of the reef, determine the age-specific growth rate of C. ariakensis under differing salinity ranges, and determine genetic makeup and disease susceptibility in its native range. (Risk questions 2, 4, and 6.)
Project 10: Assess the resistance or susceptibility of C. ariakensis to Perkinsus spp., Haplosporidium spp., Bonamia spp., and other viral pathogens. (Risk question 2.)
Project 11: Investigate the minimum and maximum salinity and temperature ranges for C. ariakensis larvae. (Risk questions 1, 4, 5, 7, and 8.)
Risk Question 3: MD DNR has consulted with the Maryland Department of Environment and Virginia Department of Health and have received a letter from them stating that they concur with the NRC report and see no reason to expect any different human health risks associated with C. ariakensis than are associated with C. virginica and see no reason to expect an increase in closed shellfish areas due to the introduction of C. ariakensis.

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