C. ariakensis

Non-Native Oysters:Crassostrea ariakensis

The Eastern oyster Crassostrea virginica was for three centuries the object of a major fishery in Chesapeake Bay. But in recent decades, over-harvesting, habitat degradation, and the diseases MSX and Dermo have devastated the Bay's oyster population. The diseases have frustrated restoration and aquaculture efforts and brought the Bay oyster fishery to near ruin, especially in Virginia. The loss of oysters and their capacity for filtering algae has also likely contributed to the decline of Bay water quality.

In response, the Virginia General Assembly in 1995 mandated VIMS to develop a strategic plan for shellfish research. VIMS submitted the plan in 1996. Field studies began with Crassostrea gigas, an imported Japanese species that has long been the mainstay of oyster aquaculture on the U.S. West Coast. However, VIMS research showed that C. gigas in Chesapeake Bay exhibited unremarkable growth, disease tolerance, and taste compared to the native oyster. VIMS researchers then began investigating the Suminoe oyster C. ariakensis. Comparisons between infertile C. ariakensis and the native oyster showed that C. ariakensis was faster growing, better tolerated MSX and Dermo, and tasted just as good.

These findings suggest that hatchery-reared C. ariakensishold promise for rebuilding the commercial oyster industry in Virginia and Maryland through aquaculture. At the same time, there are strong concerns over using non-native species in light of past ecological impacts. In October 2001, VIMS hosted a symposium to inform stakeholders on issues related to use of C. ariakensis in Chesapeake Bay. In November 2001. VIMS issued a position statement on the commerical use of C. ariakensis in Bay waters. A new web site provides data on VIMS' scientific monitoring of the current Virginia Seafood Council trial of C. ariakensis. Stay tuned for future VIMS research on these issues.

Timeline

Jan 2004		The US Army Corps of Engineers (ACE) requests public comment on Environmental Impact Statement (January 26)
Jan 2004		ACE issues a Federal Register notice of intent to prepare an Environmental Impact Statement for a proposed introduction of C. ariakensis into Chesapeake Bay (January 8)
Oct 2003		VIMS posts web site for VSC trial (October 24)
Sep 2003		VIMS deploys ariakensis to VSC growers (September 29)
Aug 2003		National Academy of Science issues report on non-native oysters (August 14)
Feb 2003		VMRC approves VSC proposal to expand experiments with C. ariakensis
Jan 2003		VIMS submits "Statement of expectations for research and development on non-native oysters" to VMRC
Dec 2002		Virginia Seafood Council submits proposal to VMRC to deploy 1 million sterile non-native oysters for aquaculture
Mar 2002		National Academy of Sciences agrees to review C. ariakensis issue
Jan 2002		VIMS articulates protocols for non-native oyster research
Dec 2001		Agencies issue statements on use of C. ariakensis for aquaculture in Chesapeake Bay VIMS \| CBF \| CBP \| UMCES \|
Oct 2001		VIMS hosts C. ariakensis symposium
2000		CBP ad-hoc panel approves VIMS marketability proposal VIMS research shows high commercial potential for C. ariakensis Virginia Seafood Council (VSC) requests C. ariakensis introduction Virginia Marine Resource Commission (VMRC) approves VSC request with VIMS monitoring Virginia Seafood Council (VSC) conducts in-water tests of C. ariakensis
1999		VIMS publishes research showing low commercial potential for C. gigas VIMS proposes marketability study for C. ariakensis Virginia Marine Resources Commission (VMRC) approves VIMS marketability proposal
1998		VIMS work on C. gigas ends, fails marketability test VIMS proposes in-field testing of C. ariakensis CBP ad-hoc panel approves VIMS proposal
1997-98		Crassostrea rivularis renamed Crassostrea ariakensis
1997		VIMS establishes ABC (Aquaculture Genetics and Breeding Technology Center) CBP's Living Resources Sub-Committee (LRSC) accepts ad-hoc panelís recommendations
1996		VIMS submits strategic plan for non-native oyster research to Virginia legislature CBP forms ad-hoc panel to guide research on C. gigas and C. rivularis
1995		VA legislature Mandates VIMS to develop a strategic plan for shellfish research pdf \| legislative summary
1993		Chesapeake Bay oyster harvest reaches historic low Chesapeake Bay Program (CBP) adopts policy on non-native oysters (Crassostrea gigas and C. rivularis) VIMS conducts first field tests of disease tolerance in C. gigas
1991		Aquaculture industry requests introduction of non-native oysters
1959		Oyster disease MSX found in Chesapeake Bay
1949		Oyster disease Dermo found in Chesapeake Bay
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Background Documents

2002	Allen, S. K., Jr., and E. M. Burreson, Standing Policy for Virginia Institute of Marine Science Non-Native Oyster Research In Virginia, Gloucester Point, VA, Virginia Institute of Marine Science, 18 pp.
2002	Blankenship, K., Agencies, groups offer support, concern for use of foreign oysters, Bay Journal.
2002	Malmquist, D. L., VIMS urges caution in commercial release of non-native oysters to Chesapeake Bay, The Crest, p. 6.
2002	Ragone Calvo, L. M., and E. M. Burreson,Status of the Major Oyster Diseases in Virginia 2001: A Summary of the Annual Monitoring Program, Gloucester Point, Virginia, Virginia Institute of Marine Science, The College of William and Mary, 21 pp.
2001	Blankenship, K., Expanded use of non-native oyster seems likely in Bay, Bay Journal.
2001	Blankenship, K., Oyster shell game: Once you saw them everywhere, now you donít, Bay Journal.
2001	Blankenship, K., Virginica buries ariakensis in head-to-head competition, Bay Journal.
2001	Carlton, J. T., Introduced Species in U.S Coastal Waters: Environmental impacts and management priorities, Pew Oceans Commission Report, Arlington, VA, Pew Charitable Trust, p. 36 pp.
2001	Chesapeake Bay Foundation, Position Statement on the Use of Non-native Oysters in Chesapeake Bay, Annapolis, MD, CBR, 3 pp.
2001	2001 Federal Agencies Committee, Recommendations on Suminoe Oyster (Crassostrea ariakensis) Aquaculture in Chesapeake Bay, Annapolis, MD, Chesapeake Bay Program, 3 pp.
2001	Hallerman, E., M. Leffler, S. Mills, and S. J. Allen, Aquaculture of Triploid Crassostrea ariakensis in Chesapeake Bay: A Symposium Report, Williamsburg, Virginia (The College of William and Mary), Maryland Sea Grant Extension (Publication number UM-SG-SGEP-2002-01), Virginia Sea Grant (Publication number VSG-02-03), 18 pp.
2001	Naylor, R. L., S. L. Williams, and D. R. Strong, ECOLOGY: Aquaculture--A Gateway for Exotic Species: Science, v. 294, p. 1655-1656.
2001	University of Maryland Center for Environmental Science, Resolving the Benefits and Risks of Crassostrea ariakensis in Chesapeake Bay and Atlantic Coast Estuaries, Cambridge, MD, UMCES, 2 pp.
2001	Virginia Institute of Marine Science,Statement on the Use of Crassostrea ariakensis in Chesapeake Bay, Gloucester Point, Virginia, Virginia Institute of Marine Science, College of William and Mary, 1 pp.
2000	Calvo, G. W., M. W. Luckenbach, K. A. Standish, Jr., and E. M. Burreson, A Comparative Field Study of Crassostrea ariakensis and Crassostrea virginica in Relation to Salinity in Virginia, Gloucester Point, VA, Virginia Institute of Marine Science, College of William & Mary, 25 pp.
1999	Calvo, G. W., M. W. Luckenbach, and E. M. Burreson, A Comparative Field Study of Crassostrea gigas and Crassostrea virginica in Relation to Salinity in Virginia, Gloucester Point, VA, Virginia Institute of Marine Science, College of William & Mary, 40 pp.
1996	Langdon, C. J., and A. M. Robinson, Aquaculture potential of the Suminoe oyster (Crassostrea ariakensis Fugita 1913): Aquaculture, v. 144, p. 321-338.
1996	Ximing, G., G. A. DeBrosse, and S. K. Allen, Jr., All-triploid Pacific oysters (Crassostrea gigas Thunberg) produced by mating tetraploids and diploids: Aquaculture, v. 142, p. 149-161.
1993	Ewart, J. W., and S. E. Ford, History and Impact of MSX and Dermo Diseases on Oyster Stocks In the Northeast Region, North Dartmouth, Massachusetts, Northeastern Regional Aquaculture Center, University of Massachusetts Dartmouth, 8 pp.
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