Impact Incoming storm. ©D. Malmquist SPRING 2021 NEWSLETTER VIRGINIA INSTITUTE OF MARINE SCIENCE ADMINISTRATION NAMES VIMS GRAD TO WHITE HOUSE STAFF

In January, President-elect Joe with a Ph.D. degree from the School of Biden and Vice President-elect Marine Science at VIMS and a master’s Kamala Harris named Dr. Ike Irby as degree in public policy from the Public policy advisor in the Office of the Policy Graduate Program at W&M. Vice President. Irby, who earned joint He responded to the announcement graduate degrees from William & Mary in a tweet, writing, “Truly honored to and the Virginia Institute of Marine serve as Policy Advisor to the next Vice Science in 2017, previously served President, Kamala Harris. The climate as a senior policy advisor to Harris crisis is the challenge of our time, and in the U.S. Senate, covering climate, I look forward to continue fighting for >Then-graduate student Ike Irby poses environment, energy, transportation, climate and environmental justice, on the South Lawn during his 2014 White and infrastructure. the protection of our planet, and an House internship within the Office of Irby brings both a science and policy equitable future.” Science and Technology Policy. background to the nation’s capital, Continued on page 6 Photo: Ike Irby RECFISH MOBILE APP WILL GIVE ANGLERS A UNIQUE FIELD GUIDE Researchers at the available for streaming on on the date, location, and local fishing Virginia Institute of Marine the VIMS YouTube channel. regulations. Science are casting a wide Joining her was Recfish Before that can happen, the app- net in search of fish photos. team member and VIMS development team must train machine- Their immediate goal is to fisheries professor Dr. Eric learning software to recognize different use angler snapshots to Hilton. fish species, a process that requires lots train software to identify “We’re really excited of photos. “Right now,” said Kellogg, different fish species. Their about building out our “we’re working on training models to ultimate goal is to put that app,” said Kellogg. identify fish and that requires at least artificial intelligence into “Once finished, all you’ll 5,000 photos per species. The more a “RecFish” mobile app, need to do is open the photos we have, the more accurate the giving anglers a multi-use app and point your cell- models will be.” field guide right in their >Lisa Kellogg is the phone camera at a fish To help collect these images, pocket, and scientists founder of RecFish. and it will instantly tell the team has developed a website a collaborative tool for you the species, size, at recfish.org that makes it easy for studying recreational species. and approximate weight, and let you anglers to upload their photos. Kellogg RecFish founder Lisa Kellogg, a record that info to your logbook with said, “We want people to look through senior research scientist at VIMS, talked the touch of a button.” The app will their photos and upload anything about the genesis of the app during also instantly provide information on that has a fish in it, so that we can use a recent After Hours lecture now whether the fish is legal to keep based Continued on page 2 NEW OUTREACH ENDOWMENT HONORS VIMS DEAN AND DIRECTOR After seventeen years as dean of and past board members have given the William & Mary School of Marine cornerstone gifts in support of the Science and director of the Virginia effort. The John T. Wells Outreach Institute of Marine Science, John Wells Endowment will help underpin announced that he would retire at the VIMS’ public programs, which Wells end of June. During that time VIMS has enthusiastically supported and has enjoyed unprecedented growth advocated for during his tenure. and modernization, attracted top- “Reaching out and connecting rated students and faculty, provided people to the science is part of our essential support to Virginia’s maritime DNA at VIMS,” Wells told a group economy, and provided the highest of supporters recently. He believes level of research to benefit the marine that these connections increase environment. understanding and appreciation of the To honor his legacy, the VIMS marine environment and the importance >Dean and Director John T. Wells is Foundation Board voted to create an of VIMS’ research, which in turn benefits retiring after 17 years at VIMS. endowment in the retiring dean and the Chesapeake Bay, coastal oceans, director’s honor, and several current and estuaries world-wide. In a typical year the VIMS Outreach meaningful programs can continue program connects the science to in for years to come and will increase the excess of 25,000 people of all ages number of community members and and at no cost. These people connect decision-makers VIMS scientists and to VIMS research through Marine educators can reach with the institute’s Science Day, After Hours lectures, high-quality, unbiased science. campus tours, videos, and local civic Anyone interested in helping to meetings. Even in these days of social create a lasting legacy of connecting distancing, VIMS Outreach is creating marine science with communities can and sharing digital content that is visit impact.wm.edu/wells to make a engaging people from across the gift in support of VIMS Outreach and >Wells joins former Supreme Court United States and around the world. in celebration of the dean & director’s Justice and W&M Chancellor Sandra Day The John T. Wells Outreach contributions to VIMS and the marine O’Connor for a tour of the VIMS campus Endowment will make certain that environment. in 2007.

RecFish mobile app will give anglers a unique field guide, continued from page 1 them as part of the model training.” “Anglers collect more data than any Their initial focus is on fishes of the fisheries biologist ever could,” he Chesapeake Bay, but their long-term said, “because they’re covering such a plans include expanding coverage to large area, including places that aren’t the U.S. East Coast and beyond. sampled scientifically.” The team is particularly interested In addition to Kellogg and Hilton, in photos of less common species and the app-development team includes species that people rarely photograph. VIMS researchers Sarah Muffelman “There are 270 resident species in and Jennifer Dreyer; Dharmesh Chesapeake Bay,” said Hilton, “from Trivedi, Harshil Shah, and their staff at > When complete, the RecFish app will common fishing targets such as striped the machine and deep learning firm provide anglers with a species ID, length bass, croakers, and flounder to more DXFactor; and Rob Quartel, Innovation and weight, date and time, legality, and a unfamiliar species such as stargazers Advisor to VIMS Dean & Director Dr. choice of detail in terms of catch location. and sea robins.” John Wells. Kellogg and her project team App development was jumpstarted appreciate that participating anglers by support from the Dean & Director’s projects we are looking to foster.” may not want to share the whereabouts Innovation Fund at VIMS, established “The Dean and Director’s Innovation of their secret fishing spot. “You’ll be in 2018 by the Joan and Morgan Fund encouraged us to think outside able to share your exact location, which Massey Foundation and the Nunnally the box and come up with this concept has the greatest value for scientists, but Charitable Trust. in the first place,” said Kellogg. The if you’re uncomfortable with that, you “The goal of the Innovation Fund National Fish and Wildlife Foundation can submit your data just by tributary is to provide support for research has provided additional funding for segment—upper, middle, or lower York and education activities that foster app development, and a wide range of River, for instance—or with no geo- innovation and economic productivity management agencies and NGOs have reference whatsoever.” at VIMS,” said Wells. “What Lisa and expressed support. Kellogg expects Hilton noted that the app will her team are doing with their RecFish the app to be available to the public by also aid with basic fisheries science. app is a great example of the kinds of the end of 2021.

2 2020 TRENDS TOWARD SEA-LEVEL RISE ACCELERATION Sea level “report cards” issued approach that includes evidence for annually by researchers at the Virginia the recent acceleration in the rate of Institute of Marine Science add further sea-level change at many U.S. tide- evidence of an accelerating rate of sea- gauge stations, and stress their use level rise during 2020 at nearly all tidal of relative sea-level measurements— stations along the U.S. coastline. changes in water level relative to the The team’s web-based report cards land surface on which people live project sea level to the year 2050 and work. The relative sea-level rise in based on an ongoing analysis of tide- Virginia and other East and Gulf coast gauge records for 32 localities along areas is due to both rising water and the U.S. coast from Maine to Alaska. sinking land. The analysis now includes 52 years of Sea-level rise has now been >Coastal flooding is of growing concern water-level observations, from January accelerating at all U.S. East Coast across Tidewater Virginia and in other 1969 through December 2020. The coastal areas worldwide. stations since 2014. Prior to that year, interactive charts are available on stations south of Cape Hatteras had the VIMS website at www.vims.edu/ recorded little or no acceleration. sealevelreportcards. models—we may be moving towards “Today,” said Boon, “sea level is The project’s founder, VIMS the higher projections.” Mitchell has accelerating faster at many of these emeritus professor John Boon, said partnered with Boon to generate the southern stations than at some stations “The year-to-year trends are becoming report cards each year since 2017. further north considered to be sea level very informative. The 2020 report “Acceleration can be a game rise ‘hot spots’ not long ago.” cards continue a clear trend toward changer in terms of impacts and “Rates of sea-level rise in Norfolk, acceleration in rates of sea-level rise at planning, so we really need to pay Virginia, are still the highest along 27 of our 28 tide-gauge stations along heed to these patterns,” said Boon. the Atlantic Coast at 5.4 millimeters the continental U.S. coastline.” The one “We have increasing evidence from the per year,” said Mitchell. “However, continental outlier—in Crescent City, tide-gauge records that these higher acceleration at stations in North California—joins four Alaskan stations sea-level curves need to be seriously Carolina, South Carolina, and Georgia as sites where coastal uplift makes it considered in resilience-planning indicate that we should be watching appear sea level is falling relative to efforts,” adds Mitchell. sea-level patterns in those states very land. Boon said the report cards closely.” Some studies indicate that VIMS marine scientist Molly Mitchell add value by providing sea-level the “hot spot” of sea-level rise in the said “Seeing acceleration at so many projections that are updated more mid-Atlantic is moving southward, and of our stations suggests that—when we frequently than those issued by that stations south of Cape Hatteras will look at the multiple sea-level scenarios NOAA or other agencies. Boon see greater sea-level rise by 2050 than that NOAA puts out based on global and colleagues also use a statistical their histories suggest. VIMS MARINE SCIENCE DAY CONTINUES ITS GLOBAL REACH

Marine Science Day, the annual and children and adults can enter the showcase of research by the Virginia annual art and costume contests that Institute of Marine Science, will be will be judged that day. You can even held on Saturday, May 15. This year’s enter your family pet in the costume virtual open house will offer a day contest! Last year’s grand prize winner of engaging content accessible to was Quinn, from Yorktown, VA, whose anyone in the world. Marine Science costume was a very creative oyster Day participants of all ages can enjoy bed. It’s a fun opportunity to see marine science-themed activities, everyone’s creativity at work. watch live presentations, and interact Last year’s Marine Science Day with scientists throughout the day with reached more than 2,000 curious the MSD virtual platform. . Everyone minds across the country and around > Marine Science Day returns in May on will have opportunities to learn about the globe. Participants represented VIMS’ online platform and includes the the latest VIMS research on topics such 41 states. and 12 countries, including ever-popular costume contest. as ocean acidification, fisheries, sea- Australia, Ireland, and Portugal. VIMS level rise, water quality, ghost forests, received overwhelmingly positive plastic pollution, and marine science responses about the first virtual Marine Marine Science Day is free and careers from VIMS’ staff and scientists. Science Day, and many teachers open to everyone, and registration is Once again MSD participants reported that they used the content in required to gain access to the MSD can enjoy one of the event’s popular their classroom to teach students about event platform. Learn more at www. seafood cooking demonstrations, marine science. vims.edu/msd.

3 WORLD-CLASS SHELLFISH AQUACULTURE EXPERT TO LEAD VIMS PROGRAM

Research and advisory services at gravitated to the the Virginia Institute of Marine Science doctoral program support the growing aquaculture in fisheries science industry and have helped make at the University of Virginia the worldwide leader in Maryland. sustainable shellfish aquaculture. “I came in on the Now, with construction of the state-of- typical academic the-art Acuff Center for Aquaculture route,” Walton said. underway, VIMS has hired a world- “I was interested in class expert in the field of shellfish ecology and food aquaculture to coordinate its efforts. webs, so I started >Bill Walton will join VIMS as the Acuff Professor of Marine Dean and Director John Wells looking at marine Science, Shellfish Aquaculture Program Coordinator. recently announced that Dr. William invasive species Photos: Fernando DeCillis C. Walton has accepted the position and their impact. of Acuff Professor of Marine Science, I got interested in Shellfish Aquaculture Program the idea that the problem could be [VIMS] is in applied science,” Walton Coordinator at VIMS. Walton is managed if we couldn’t get rid of the said. “It’s a world-class program, and currently director of the Auburn invasive species.” I’m excited for the chance to come in University Shellfish Lab, professor Walton loved the research, but there and work with VIMS’ all-stars to help in the Auburn University School was something else that really sparked the program grow and diversify.” of Fisheries, his excitement. Walton said he is also looking Aquaculture and “I loved doing forward to meeting people in the Aquatic Sciences, “Bill will spearhead scientific research industry and finding out what they are and a Marine interdisciplinary research that a regular person worried about and what they would Extension Specialist that will take the VIMS was going to make like to see from VIMS. “There are a lot in the Alabama decisions with,” of opportunities for collaboration,” Cooperative Shellfish Aquaculture Walton said. “Once Walton said. “With a more coordinated Extension System. Program to the next I got into applied program, we will be able to tackle “Bill Walton has level of national and research, it changed these questions as effectively as broad experience international leadership.” the direction of my possible. We want to help the industry with shellfish career.” thrive.” aquaculture from – John Wells His career Maine to the Gulf began in Wellfleet, of Mexico, and has Massachusetts, as a developed close ties to the commercial “shellfish constable,” responsible for aquaculture industry,” Wells said. the protection of the town’s shellfish, “He will spearhead interdisciplinary and eventually led him to Auburn research that will take the VIMS University. Shellfish Aquaculture Program to the “I took the job at Auburn to do next level of national and international research and extension work to leadership. In addition, Bill will help answer applied questions related to develop a robust curriculum in shellfish shellfish aquaculture and to get the aquaculture to support graduate, industry started down there,” Walton undergraduate, and public education.” said. He worked closely with growers, Walton will begin his new position hatcheries, and researchers to address in June and is currently house hunting critical roadblocks to profitable with his wife, Bethany, and their two aquaculture through applied research, teenaged sons, Cameron and Quinn. frequently connecting commercial As a young man, Walton fell in love farms and Auburn students. “I love this with the ocean while camping with work,” Walton said. his family in the Canadian maritime As the Acuff Professor, his region and along the West Coast. leadership will complement the Later, as an undergraduate at Tufts existing strengths in shellfish >Walton is currently director of the University, a marine biologist took aquaculture by establishing a robust Auburn University Shellfish Lab, professor Walton “under his wing” and instilled institute-wide Shellfish Aquaculture in the Auburn University School of Fisheries, Aquaculture and Aquatic a life-long love of invertebrates. After Program. “There are a lot of excellent Sciences, and a Marine Extension earning his master’s degree in ecology marine science labs around the US, Specialist in the Alabama Cooperative and evaluation at Rutgers, Walton but I’m impressed by how grounded Extension System.

4 SCIENTIST BRINGS THE RIGOR OF DATA SCIENCE TO THE MARINE ENVIRONMENT For many people, what they took it. Chiu missed working with enjoy and what they do in their students though, and she later joined job are two very different things. the statistics group at the Australian For Dr. Grace Chiu, director of the National University. After ten years VIMS Environmental Statistics and “down under,” it was VIMS that came Transdisciplinary Data Science Lab, calling in 2018. they go together flawlessly. Arriving at VIMS in 2019, Since her childhood, Chiu has Chiu founded and now directs always loved the natural world. After the Environmental Statistics and her family emigrated from Hong Kong Transdisciplinary Data Science Lab to Canada and she prepared to enter at the institute. The ESTDatS lab is college some years later, Chiu decided devoted to cutting-edge statistical not to pursue a career in biology. “I and data scientific research in marine never had a biology course at school,” science, environmental science, and Chiu said. “Instead, my love for the other scientific disciplines that are natural world drove me to look for integral to the evidence-based policy a formalized way of understanding >Grace Chiu founded the Environmental making that is part of VIMS’ advisory natural phenomena. I realized that Statistics and Transdisciplinary Data service mission. The lab specializes scientists rely on data, and I like math. Science Lab at VIMS. in integrative, holistic statistical It’s an interesting puzzle to solve. That’s methodologies to tackle multi-faceted what drew me to statistics.” research problems. Chiu is also very After graduating from the University need to collect data, and you need a active with teaching and developing of British Columbia with a double way to make sense out of it,” she said. statistics curriculum for VIMS. major in math and statistics, Chiu “Data science is a rigorous way of “I’ve always felt my biggest impact stayed on to earn her master’s degree interpreting that information, requiring would be to contribute data science in statistics. She taught postsecondary a set protocol to ‘tease it out.’” to environmental science, and this is statistics for some years before After four years as an assistant a very rare opportunity,” Chiu said. entering the doctoral program at professor in the Department of “Marine data are complex. You have to Simon Fraser University. It was during Statistics and Actuarial Science at the have complex, labor-intensive studies her post-doctoral work at the University University of Waterloo in Ontario, Chiu to get to the phenomenon. If data are of Washington in Seattle, that Chiu met said, “I started feeling detached from complex, you need rigorous methods her partner, Dr. Anton Westveld, who the kind of work that gave me a role to deal with them. I can help make that got his statistics Ph.D. there. in environmental science.” When the rigor an upfront part of the science at Chiu identifies herself as a data Australian national science lab CSIRO VIMS. We need data science to be part scientist and a statistician. “Any time approached her with a job opportunity, of the science, not a footnote.” you need to understand the world, you it seemed like a better fit, and she GIVING SOCIETIES AQUACULTURE CENTER IS UNDERWAY Private support is one of the greatest sources of flexibility Construction has begun on the Acuff Center for in the VIMS budget. To better show appreciation for everyone Aquaculture at the VIMS Gloucester Point campus. The new center will be home to the Shellfish who supports VIMS’ marine and coastal science mission Aquaculture Program, integrating VIMS’ world- philanthropically, we updated our giving societies and the renowned, multidisciplinary aquaculture initiatives. recognition opportunities that go along with them. For all societies, membership is determined based on gifts over the fiscal year, July 1 – June 30. Navigator $1,000+ Explorer $2,000+ Innovator $5,000+ Visionary $10,000+ Pathfinder $100,000+ in lifetime giving Ordinarily, members of giving societies are thanked with invitations to special events and other exclusive opportunities. Given COVID-19 and the temporary suspension of our external events we’re interested in hearing from you about what experiences would be most interesting or meaningful to you as a thank you. If you have ideas please contact Amy at [email protected] and share your thoughts.

5 VIMS STUDY EXPLORES IMPACT OF OCEAN ACIDIFICATION ON CHESAPEAKE BAY OYSTERS

The growth and survival of oysters making it more difficult for oysters and other shellfish is being challenged to build their shells in the first place. by the increasing acidity of seawater Acidification is particularly challenging caused by the excess carbon dioxide to oyster larvae and juveniles. responsible for global warming. A The goal of the three-year project team led by researchers at the Virginia is to understand the vulnerability of Institute of Marine Science is now shellfish aquaculture and restoration helping oyster growers and restoration efforts to ocean acidification. To specialists better manage their future accomplish this, the team is integrating responses to acidification in the results from a high-resolution, 3-D Chesapeake Bay. model of the Chesapeake Bay; water- The team, funded by the NOAA quality data; recent studies of ocean Ocean Acidification Program, is led by acidification and its effects on shellfish; VIMS researchers Marjy Friedrichs and and information from aquaculture Emily Rivest, along with David Wrathall stakeholders. The study will develop of Oregon State University. Other team tools for forecasting acidification > Dr. Rivest and VIMS Ph.D. student Annie members include Mark Brush, Pierre thresholds to help commercial Schatz prepare to deploy an oyster cage St-Laurent, and Karen Hudson of VIMS, shellfish growers make more informed into the waters of the Chesapeake Bay. and Bruce Vogt of NOAA’s Chesapeake decisions, thus helping to protect © Virginia Sea Grant. Bay Office. The team calls their project an industry that in recent years has STAR, for Shellfish Thresholds and generated around $15 million in farm- Aquaculture Resilience. gate value in Virginia, and $9 million in we still lack a basic understanding of “Coastal acidification and its Maryland. how vulnerability might differ among associated co-stressors present a “Recent research has given us oyster hatcheries, farms, public-harvest serious and credible threat to the a clearer understanding of the reefs, or coastal restoration projects. success of both oyster aquaculture physiological vulnerability of oysters to This knowledge gap is what motivated and oyster restoration in the bay,” said ocean acidification,” said Rivest, “but us to submit our proposal.” Friedrichs. The co-stressors include nutrient pollution, warmer Chesapeake Bay waters, and pulses of freshwater Administration Names VIMS Grad to White House Staff, continued from page 1 from rainstorms made more intense by global atmospheric changes. Professor Linda Schaffner, Associate Increased seawater acidity hampers Dean of Academic Studies at VIMS, the growth and survival of oysters said, “Ike is a shining example of the and other shellfish by eating away at outstanding young scholars from their calcium carbonate shells, the VIMS and W&M who have gone on same process that causes carbonated to significant leadership positions in sodas to corrode the enamel of human science and policy.” teeth. It also reduces the number of For his dissertation, Irby assessed carbonate ions dissolved in seawater, the performance of computer models used to forecast how nutrient-reduction strategies and climate change impact water quality in the Chesapeake Bay. >While a member of Senator Kamala His work was recognized with receipt Harris’ staff, Irby was featured in a VIMS Deeper Dive video titled Shaping Leaders of W&M’s highest award for a graduate Who Shape the World. or professional student, the Thatcher Prize for Excellence, as well as VIMS’ Best Paper Award for his subsequent article in Biogeosciences. Following his graduation from VIMS, Irby is no stranger to the White Irby returned to Washington, D.C., as a House, having served as an intern in the Science and Technology Policy Fellow Office of Science and Technology Policy with the American Geophysical Union in 2014. Established by Congress in and American Association for the 1976, OSTP provides the president and Advancement of Science. It was in this senior staff with relevant scientific and position that he first began working technical advice, ensures the policies with then-Senator Harris of California. > VIMS technician Megan Considine of the executive branch are informed In this role, Irby led the legislative team helps study the physiology of oysters in by sound science, and coordinates advising the senator on issues related VIMS’ Seawater Research Laboratory. scientific and technical work to provide to the environment, energy, climate, © Virginia Sea Grant. the greatest benefit to America. and space.

6 FOUNDATION CO-FOUNDER LEAVES A LEGACY OF PHILANTHROPY AND SERVICE

VIMS lost a staunch friend and A. Marshall Acuff, Jr., Clifford A. in assembling the best people to serve supporter with the death of E. Morgan Cutchins III, Arthur H. Bryant II, Thomas on the foundation board was key to a Massey on March 10 at age 94. A life- Blackburn, and Guildford D. Ware successful beginning. He built a strong long Virginian, Massey received his to focus on promoting philanthropy and enduring foundation.” engineering degree from the University for VIMS and providing stewardship Through the Massey Foundation, of Virginia and joined the family of private resources. He served as Morgan and the extended Massey business, A.T. Massey Coal Company the foundation’s first president and family provided generous financial after graduation. He helped grow support to VIMS through unrestricted and transform that business and annual giving. Through the Joan and went on to found several businesses Morgan Massey Foundation, Morgan of his own. and his wife Joan helped fund passion Massey’s son Craig said, “Our projects such as the Dean & Director’s family has been in the coal industry Innovation Fund. for more than 100 years. When I was “Morgan was an absolutely a kid and started learning about amazing man, with intellectual the environment, I asked my dad curiosity, boundless energy, and a about our environmental impact. mind for innovation,” said VIMS Dean That is when he introduced me and Director John Wells. “He saw to VIMS. He explained to me that enormous potential for VIMS in the through education, understanding, >Morgan Massey (center) congratulates Lisa entrepreneurial space and wanted to and technology, society can both Kellogg and Derek Loftis, inaugural recipients help underpin that effort with funding grow the economy and protect the of cash awards from the VIMS Innovation to nurture entrepreneurship.” The first environment. This insight is why he fund, which Massey helped endow. monetary awards from the endowed was such a strong supporter of VIMS fund were made in 2019. “I am glad and why he was always looking for we were able to award money from ways to make manufacturing safer and became an important ally and trusted the Innovation Fund during Morgan’s environmentally responsible.” advisor to VIMS leadership. lifetime so that he could see that vision Morgan Massey’s involvement Reflecting on the time they spent realized,” Wells said. with VIMS spanned four decades. together building the foundation, In honor of the Massey Foundation’s In 1983 he joined the VIMS Council, Acuff emphasized the importance long-term commitment to providing which advised and assisted VIMS in of Massey’s role. “He was really unrestricted financial support to its mission and worked to increase instrumental in putting together the VIMS, the institute created the private giving. In 2000 he co- foundation,” Acuff said. “Morgan was Massey Medallion, which recognizes founded the VIMS Foundation with very well respected, and his leadership outstanding unrestricted support. JUVENILE STRIPED BASS ABUNDANCE HOLDS STEADY IN VIRGINIA

As part of its advisory service annual and long-term trends in the mission to the Commonwealth, VIMS bay’s striped bass population.” conducts an annual Juvenile Striped The VIMS survey samples 18 sites Bass Seine Survey to assess species in the Rappahannock, York, and abundance. Preliminary results from James River watersheds. Biologists this year’s survey suggest that it was sample each site 5 times from early another strong year for striped bass July to early September, deploying a >VIMS scientists use a seine net to produced in Virginia tributaries of the 100-foot seine net from the shore; in conduct the annual striped bass survey. Chesapeake Bay. 2020, fewer sites were sampled. Each Striped bass play an important role fish captured in the net is counted, in Delaware, Maryland, and Virginia in as a top predator in the Chesapeake measured, and returned to the river. the mid- to late-1980s. Since then, the Bay ecosystem and are a valuable These young striped bass usually population increased to the point that resource for commercial and measure between 1.5 and 4 inches. striped bass in the Bay and elsewhere recreational anglers. Professor Mary Survey scientists in Virginia measured were considered recovered. In 2019, Fabrizio, who directs the Juvenile 1,836 juvenile striped bass at these scientists determined that the striped Striped Bass Seine Survey at VIMS, stations in 2020. VIMS has been bass population was overfished and notes that the economic and ecological conducting the survey annually since that mortality due to fishing was higher value of striped bass lends significant 1967 for the Virginia Marine Resources than what the population can withstand interest to the year-to-year status of Commission (VMRC). in the long term. Monitoring of juvenile their population. “By estimating the The striped bass population in striped bass recruitment will continue relative number of young-of-year Chesapeake Bay has rebounded from next year to provide managers with striped bass,” she says, “our survey historic lows in the late 1970s and early crucial information to sustainably provides an important measure of 1980s after fishing bans were enacted manage this important species.

7 Virginia Institute of Marine Science P. O. Box 1346 Gloucester Point, VA 23062 www.vims.edu/impact

Saturday, May 15, 10 amSAVE – 3 pm THE DATE VIMS MULTIMEDIA RESOURCE CENTER OFFERS VIDEOS AND SO MUCH MORE Discovery Lab Marine Science Day Harmful Algal Blooms (HABs) Saturday, May 15, 10am–3pm Explore the multimedia resources the Virginia Institute April 20, 6 – 7pm VIMS’s annual open house of Marine Science has developed to provide insight Family-friendly program for is online with science talks, into our research and to educate about our coastal all ages. activities, a costume contest, and estuarine ecosystems. Take a tour of the oyster and more. Fun for all ages. hatchery at VIMS’ Kauffman Aquaculture Center on the A Scientist Walks into a Bar: Rappahannock River, watch the real-time activities of Graduate Student Edition World Oceans Day an osprey family, or learn about the effect of plastics on April 21, 7pm Tuesday, June 8 the marine environment, all without leaving your couch! Enjoy listening to graduate Make sure students present 5 minute After Hours Lecture to return fast-talks on their research. Chesapeake Bay National often, as Estuarine Research Reserve we create Earth Day Thursday, June 24, 7pm and share April 22 After Hours Lecture new Lesson Plan Expo Harmful Algal Blooms (HABs) content April 22, 6:30 – 8pm Thursday, July 29, 7pm regularly. Presented by the Virginia Bookmark Scientists and Educators After Hours Lecture www. Alliance. Educators are invited Topics to be announced vims.edu/ to learn about classroom- Thursday, August 26, 7pm & public/ tested lesson plans developed Thursday, September 30, 7pm online by science graduate students.

All programs are being held online at this time. Visit www.vims.edu/events for information and registration.