2007 Annual Report 1a.Objectives (from AD-416) Objective 1: Identify critical stages in the life cycle of burrowing shrimp in West Coast estuaries that are vulnerable to control measures for aquaculture operations. Objective 2: Map aquaculture operations, eelgrass beds, and burrowing shrimp populations at an estuarine landscape scale and conduct a spatial analysis in order to quantify the interaction between oyster aquaculture practices, fish utilization of these estuarine habitats as predators and parasite hosts, and burrowing shrimp recruitment and movement. 1b.Approach (from AD-416) Conduct research in marine/estuarine ecology to develop new and sustainable approaches to controlling pests and predators such as burrowing shrimp, spartina, crab, drills and diving ducks. Using a systems approach, examine key management practices and their impacts on ecological components of complex, dynamic estuarine environments. Establish a clear understanding of the ecology and biology of key pests and predators that impact reproduction, survival and overall population dynamics. Identify and evaluate potential biological control agents for efficacy in an integrated pest management system. Develop a multidisciplinary approach in collaboration with ARS, Oregon State University, and EPA scientists located at the Hatfield Marine Sciences Center, Newport, OR, and elsewhere as needed. Work with outreach and extension personnel/groups to transfer technology to growers. FY03 Program Increase $223,537. 1 SY. FY04 Program Increase $120,783. Replacing 5358-63000-001-00D (7/05). 3.Progress Report None 4.Accomplishments Burrowing Shrimp, Eelgrass and Aquaculture mapped. A burrowing shrimp and habitat survey of Willapa Bay, Washington was completed. An ARS scientist stationed at the Oregon State University Hatfield Marine Science Center in Newport, OR created and validated a data dictionary and mapping protocol for collecting information on burrowing shrimp, eelgrass, oyster culture and sediment characteristics in a GIS format and employed this using a hovercraft to conduct a grid survey in the field. This was important because it produced a standard base map which ARS and cooperating scientists will use to design detailed studies of burrowing shrimp-oyster interactions in Pacific Northwest aquaculture facilities. The design enables spatial analyses and quantitative comparisons of habitat interactions to inform the shellfish aquaculture industry and decision-makers about how environmentally sustainable practices can be conducted on a landscape scale. (Contributes to National Program 106 Aquaculture, Component VI - Sustainability and Environmental Compatibility of Aquaculture, Problem Area E) Environmental Sustainability). Parasites identified as potential biocontrol agents for burrowing shrimp. Two isopod parasites were shown to have potential to significantly reduce shrimp populations in estuaries by castrating their female shrimp hosts. One species was shown to potentially already be impacting mud shrimp populations in Willapa Bay and Grays Harbor which have declined substantially. Reducing shrimp populations is important because burrowing shrimp impact the stability of commercial oyster beds in the Pacific Northwest, suffocating the oysters and complicating oyster harvest operations. These results enabled ongoing trials by ARS and Oregon State University scientists at the Hatfield Marine Science Center in Newport, Oregon to determine whether effective biocontrol using these isopods is viable for replacing currently used chemical pesticides to control shrimp populations in Pacific Northwest commercial oysterbeds. (Contributes to National Program 106 Aquaculture, Component II – Integrated Aquatic Animal Health Management, Problem Area G) Aquatic Animal Health Management). Monitoring of burrowing shrimp populations essential to integrated pest management. An ARS scientist stationed at the OSU Hatfield Marine Science Center in Newport, OR demonstrated that despite the heightened level of concern, burrowing shrimp populations are not increasing in all coastal estuaries where aquaculture occurs. Field surveys of shrimp populations in Washington and Oregon were conducted and showed that ghost shrimp recruitment continues to be relatively low while significant recruitment of mud shrimp occurred to Oregon estuaries in 2006 and 2007. This is important because it implies that in addition to finding alternative control measures for controlling adult shrimp on a bed, a basic understanding of the ecology of burrowing shrimp as pests is essential to meeting the goal of integrated pest management. This information and ongoing efforts to determine the age of shrimp will help establish an approach to predict shrimp recruitment and the potential need for shrimp control measures in these estuaries. (Contributes to National Program 106 Aquaculture, Component II – Integrated Aquatic Animal Health Management, Problem Area G) Aquatic Animal Health Management). 5.Significant Activities that Support Special Target Populations None 6.Technology Transfer Number of non-peer reviewed presentations and proceedings 4 Number of newspaper articles and other presentations for non-science audiences 1