Coastal State Discussion: Can Oysters Tolerate Coastal Stressors and Disease?

The U.S. eastern oyster aquaculture industry is rapidly expanding with a value that has increased over 10-fold in some Atlantic states in the last 15 years. In addition to their economic value, oysters also provide tremendous ecosystem services and are the focus of intensive restoration efforts.

However, commercial seed for farms or restoration is limited to specific environments and vulnerable to disease. Changes in the climate are also expected to further enhance these vulnerabilites and limitations.

Sea Grant funded-researchers will discuss their ongoing work investigating the viability of breeding disease-resistant or disease-tolerant oysters, and what that might mean for coastal marine ecosystems.