ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS This work is a result of research sponsored in part by NOAA Office of Sea Grant, U.S. Department of Commerce. The U.S. Government is authorized to produce and distribute reprints for governmental purposes notwithstanding any copyright notation that may appear hereon. VSG-03-03 http://www. virginia.edu/virginia-sea-grant MSG-UM-SG-TS-2003-01 http://www.mdsg.umd.edu OYSTER RESEARCH AND RESTORATION IN U.S. COASTAL WATERS WORKSHOP PURPOSE AND GOALS The NOAA National Sea Grant College program has made a substantial commitment to research on numerous aspects of the domestic oyster fishery. 1bis commitment represents a long-term, focused effort that has led to greater understanding of the biological, molecular genetic and ecological characteristics of these bivalves and the diseases that now impact them in U.S. coastal waters. The achievements of the Oyster Disease Research Program (ODRP) cover multiple areas, including the development of new tools for disease diagnosis, the successful breeding of disease resistant oyster strains, the development of new models of the interaction of disease and environmental factors and the development of a new understanding of the disease process at the cellular level. The Gulf Oyster Industry Program (GOIP) has extended this research to the Gulf of Mexico fishery and in addition has supported innovative research focused on numerous aspects of pathogens in oysters-including rapid detection and enumeration, new processing methods to ensure public health - while gaining an understanding of the impact ofharmful algal species. A strong, collaborative interaction with industry partners has been a hallmark of this program. In many states- particularly those in the Mid-Atlantic- efforts are being directed at developing far­ reaching plans for restoration of oyster populations. The role of oysters as key elements in the complex trophic structure of coastal waters as well as their integral contribution to habitat are now well appreciated. Restoration efforts must combine a solid understanding of disease dynamics with large­ scale environmental engineering focused on the rearing and release of hatchery-raised strains. In turn production strategies must be coupled to concerted efforts to rebuild vital oyster reef habitat. Such integrated efforts are the logical next steps in a process that builds upon the scientific foundations established over the past decade. In total, research directed to issues of ecology, disease and public health has provided basis upon which critical management decisions are now being made. If NOAA Sea Grant is to remain an essential catalyst for these activities, it must build upon its past and continue to offer proactive scientific and policy insights for the future. To aid in this process, it is particularly important to synthesize what we have learned to date and develop consensus on how best to precede with new initiatives. A coherent strategy for future investments is needed. This meeting brings together representatives of the most relevant scientific, management, industry and public outreach communities with the following goals: • Summarizing and synthesizing the status of oyster fisheries in the U.S. • Sharing the most recent developments at the leading edge of oyster research with a focus on oyster disease, public health and processing as well as biological, ecological, aquaculture restoration issues. • Detailing the most important and fruitful areas for research. Our plenary sessions are built around contributions from recognized experts in their respective fields. The foundation developed therein will be used as a common starting point for workgroups that will be charged with developing recommendations and strategies for future NOAA investments. Our intent is to build upon your diverse experience as key members of stakeholder communities (scientists, industry representatives, managers and the public) and initiate a process that will lead to consensus on fertile new directions for the federal investment. Your respective workgroups will be charged with developing strong position statements that reflect consensus on priorities. These will be shared in our final plenary session at the end of the meeting. The topics to be covered include: • Oyster Fisheries Management and Restoration • Genetics and Oyster Populations • Frontiers of Disease Research • Aquaculture and Hatchery Issues • Public Health and Processing Please note that the color of your badge will indicate the workgroup to which you have been assigned. Supporting, background materials for each of the workgroups is contained in this volume. We greatly appreciate your willingness to participate with us. Our challenge over the next two days will be to evaluate the progress made nationwide to understand and manage oyster fisheries and to come to consensus to provide strong, community based recommendations. Your input and engagement are critical and we are grateful for the efforts you will make. Prologue OYSTER RESEARCH AND RESTORATION IN U.S. COASTAL WATERS STRATEGIES FOR THE FUTURE TABLE OF CON1ENTS 1. Agenda and History of Oyster Disease Research 2. Regional Updates and Plenary Session Abstracts 3. Workgroup 1: Oyster Fisheries Management and Restoration 4. Workgroup 2: Genetics and Oyster Populations 5. Workgroup 3: MSX and Dermo - Frontiers in Disease Research 6. Workgroup 4: Public Health and Processing 7. Workgroup 5: Aquaculture and Hatchery Issues 8. Meeting Attendees OYSTER RESEARCH AND RESTORATION IN U.S. COASTAL WATERS AGENDA MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 8, 2003 REGISTRATION AND BREAKFAST: 7:30a.m. WELCOMING REMARKS: 8:15-8:45 a.m. Jonathan Kramer, Maryland Sea Grant College Program Invited Guests VADM U.S. Navy Ret. C. Lautenbacher, Jr. Under Secretary of Commerce for Oceans and Atmosphere Ronald Baird, Director, NOAA Sea Grant Program Congressional Leaders PLENARY SESSION I. Setting the Stage 8:45-10:00 a.m. History of NOAA Sea Grant Oyster Research Programs Jim McVey, NOAA National Sea Grant College Program Background of NOAA Restoration Center, Oyster Restoration Projects Kay McGraw, NOAA Restoration Center Regional Updates on the Status of Oyster Populations Gulf of Mexico William S. Perret, Mississippi Department ofMarine Resources Pacific Northwest Steve Bloomfield, South Sound Aquaculture Chesapeake Bay Roger Mann, Virginia Institute ofMarine Science BREAK: 10:00-10:20 a.m. OYSTER RESEARCH AND RESTORATION IN U.S. COASTAL WATERS AGENDA MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 8, 2003 REGISTRATION AND BREAKFAST: 7:30a.m. WELCOMING REMARKS: 8:15-8:45 a.m. Jonathan Kramer, Maryland Sea Grant College Program Invited Guests VADM U.S. Navy Ret. C. Lautenbacher, Jr. Under Secretary of Commerce for Oceans and Atmosphere Ronald Baird, Director, NOAA Sea Grant Program Congressional Leaders PLENARY SESSION I. Setting the Stage 8:45-10:00 a.m. History of NOAA Sea Grant Oyster Research Programs Jim McVey, NOAA National Sea Grant College Program Background of NOAA Restoration Center, Oyster Restoration Projects Kay McGraw, NOAA Restoration Center Regional Updates on the Status of Oyster Populations Gulf of Mexico William S. Perret, Mississippi Department ofMarine Resources Pacific Northwest Steve Bloomfield, South Sound Aquaculture Chesapeake Bay Roger Mann, Virginia Institute ofMarine Science BREAK: 10:00-10:20 a.m. PLENARY SESSION IT. The State of Oyster Disease and Environmental Research 10:20-12:30 p.m. Current State of Knowledge on MSX Disease Caused by Haplosporidium nelsoni, and Priorities for Future Research Eugene Burres on, Virginia Institute ofMarine Science Current State of Knowledge on Dermo Disease Caused by Perkins us mari_nus Jerome LaPeyre, Louisiana State University .Juvenile Oyster Disease: Progress and Directions in Research Katherine Boettcher, University ofMaine Summer Mortality and Crassostrea gigas Kim Reece, Virginia Institute ofMarine Science Molecular Technologies: Applications for Oyster Disease Research Gerardo Vasta, Center ofMarine Biotechnology, UMBI .The State of Oyster Disease and Environmental Research Gary Rodrick, University ofFlorida Genetics and Oyster Stocks Standish Allen, Virginia Institute ofMarine Science The Crucial Ecological Role of Oysters in Chesapeake Bay Roger Newell, University ofMaryland Center for Environmental Science LUNCH: 12:45-1:45 p.m. The Crassostrea ariakensis issue Mark Luckenbach, Virginia Institute ofMarine Science Mathilde Egge, Oyster Recovery Partnership TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 9, 2003 BREAKFAST: 7:30-8:30 a.m. CHARGE TO WORKGROUPS: 8:15 a.m. WORKGROUP SESSIONS: 8:30-11:45 a.m. BREAK: 10:30-10:45 LUNCH AND INITIAL REPORTS TO COMPARE PROGRESS: 12:00-1:30 p.m. FINAL WORKGROUP SESSIONS: 1:30-3:00 p.m. BREAK: 3:00-3:20 FINAL REPORT OUT IN PLENARY: 3:00-5:00 p.m. ADJOURN CONTEXT FOR OYSTER RESEARCH National Sea Grant College Oyster Research Programs Jim McVey, NOAA National Sea Grant College Program For more than 30 years, NOAA Sea Grant has been supporting research in most coastal states on oyster disease, oyster biology and life history, production technology, post harvest treatments, industry management and economics, and ecological function. Broad-based research programs over the last ten years- in particular, the Oyster Disease Research Program and the Gulf Oyster Research Program -include strong education and extension components that have been providing scientific-based information for fishery managers, decision makers and the public. fu addition, the NOAA Restoration Center has been supporting programs of coastal and marine habitat restoration to benefit the nation's