BUILDING TOLERANCE Can Oysters Overcome Coastal Stressors and Disease?

Scientists are investigating how, and if, oysters can be bred for disease resistance or disease tolerance and what that could mean for a multi-million dollar industry and the coastal environment.

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.

This free webinar is part of the annual Coastal State Discussion Series hosted by Rhode Island Sea Grant and co-sponsored by the University of Rhode Island’s College of the Environment and Life Sciences.