NOAA’s Non-native Oyster Research Program in Support of an EIS Jamie L. King, Ph.D. NOAA Chesapeake Bay Office November 16, 2006 Science, Service, & Stewardship NOAA Chesapeake Bay Office

To Introduce or Not to Introduce? Economic damages associated with alien invasive species in the United States: Cost of $120 billion/year (Pimentel et al. 2004) Species introduced as food crops or livestock provide >98% of U.S. food supply: Value of $800 billion/year (US Bureau of the Census 1998) In 2002 the National Research Council (research arm of the National Academy of Sciences) was commissioned to conduct a study of the possible risks and benefits of the proposed introduction. They concluded that the proposed introduction in Chesapeake Bay may or may not be beneficial, judging from case studies of other shellfish introductions around the globe. A review of case studies of intentional shellfish introductions indicates that there are both benefits and risks dependent on the region (National Research Council 2003)

Proposed Oyster Introduction Joint Maryland/Virginia Proposal Crassostrea ariakensis (Asian or Suminoe oyster) ”Oregon strain” or “West Coast ariakensis (WCA)” Purpose: Oyster population that would support sustainable harvests comparable to harvest levels 1920-1970 Potential inter-state issues, effects beyond Chesapeake Bay EIS Lead Agencies: Army Corps of Engineers Maryland Dept. of Natural Resources Virginia Marine Resources Commission Cooperating Agencies: NOAA, USEPA, USF&WS

Current EIS Activities Research Research projects underway since 2004 Funding from NOAA, MDNR, VASG, PRFC Ecological Risk Assessment Identifying ecological risk factors Developing qualitative/quantitative estimates of risk Developing Assessment Tools Demographic model Larval dispersal model Filtration and water quality modeling

NOAA Research Program 3-year, $6M competitive research program Designed to support information needs of Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) Priorities identified by NRC and STAC Funded FY04-FY06 Work continues through late 2007 - early 2008

Biological Research Topics Understanding C. ariakensis in its native range Taxonomy, population genetics, pathogens, ecology Potential for population growth/sustainability Data to parameterize demographic & larval transport models Susceptibility to known diseases Bonamia, MSX, Dermo, Herpes virus, Polydora (shell disease) Interactions with native oyster Competition, hybridization, gamete sink Human consumption risks Uptake/clearance of bacterial, viral, protozoan human pathogens Potential to be fouling nuisance or invasive Ecosystem services Reef building, water filtration, food web dynamics

Economic Research Topics Product quality and marketability shelf life, taste tests, consumer acceptance Production or implementation costs hatchery seed production costs infrastructure capital investments industry buy-out, enforcement Economic feasibility feasibility of various production methods (aquaculture, leased grounds, public fishery) Economic impacts dockside value, jobs, secondary revenue dollar value of nutrient reductions

Institutions Involved in Research University of Maryland UMCES Horn Point Laboratory UMCES Chesapeake Biological Lab Biotechnology Institute, COMB College Park Virginia Institute of Marine Science Gloucester Point Eastern Shore Laboratory Smithsonian Env. Research Center Harbor Branch Oceanographic Institute of Oceanology Chinese Academy of Sciences Rutgers University Haskin Shellfish Research Lab University of North Carolina Institute of Marine Science North Carolina Division of Marine Fisheries Johns Hopkins University Bloomberg School Public Health Cooperative Oxford Lab Main Street Economics Hainan University

Available online at http://noaa.chesapeakebay.net Quarterly Reviews Spring 2005 Various topics – taxonomy, disease, etc. Summer 2005 Aquaculture alternatives Fall 2005 Potential for interspecific interactions Winter 2006 Human health risks Spring 2006 NSA session (JSR volume in prep.) Summer 2006 Comparative growth & mortality Available online at http://noaa.chesapeakebay.net Rapidly share information for discussion/synthesis Build consensus on what we do/don’t know Modify projects underway to maximize utility of data

Taxonomy & Genetics Development of diagnostic molecular tools  now able to discriminate among Crassostrea species in Asia 2 species have been called C. ariakensis True C. ariakensis has 2 strains: northern and southern “Oregon strain” has less genetic diversity than wild C. ariakensis

Oyster Diseases C. ariakensis acquires Dermo, but does not die from infection (data limited to “ideal” aquaculture conditions) 2 Bonamia species discovered in North Carolina, only 1 infects C. ariakensis Small C. ariakensis (<40mm) experience mass mortalities, larger oysters are less susceptible

Life History & Ecology Larval behavior Substrate preference C. ariakensis – at the bottom C. virginica – upper water column Substrate preference Both species prefer natural substrates C. ariakensis is 10x more likely to settle on fiberglass Fertilization Cross-fertilization, but inviable hybrid offspring Gamete sink will occur if spawning is synchronous

Life History & Ecology Early post-settlement growth Later growth rates Evidence for interspecific competition for space Later growth rates High salinity: C. ariakensis >>> C. virginica Low salinity: C. ariakensis > C. virginica C. ariakensis seems to exhibit: Extended growing season in winter months (November – January) Susceptibility to low dissolved oxygen Inability to tolerate intertidal exposure

Aquaculture – Native oyster Little investment in research & development to promote native oyster aquaculture in the mid-Atlantic C. virginica triploids showing better growth, survival, and meat quality relative to diploids Virginia field trials: 22-78% of triploids market size in 18 months

Aquaculture – C. ariakensis Bioeconomic analysis of triploid C. ariakensis in NC suggests profitability is possible under certain conditions Industry trials with triploids underway in Chesapeake Bay Concerns about C. ariakensis shelf life – gaping, shell splintering/cracking, leaking or “bleeding” Similar rates of Polydora (mud worm) infestations, but C. ariakensis exhibits more mud blisters and knobs

EIS Evaluations = Synthesis Potential for C. ariakensis – C. virginica interactions Larval Substrate Selection Both species prefer to settle on natural substrates (shell, granite)  Likely they will settle together and co-occur Post-settlement Competition Both species have slower growth rates when crowded, and growth rates decrease further with interspecific competition  Likely they will compete for space Fertilization Interference Inviable hybrid offspring result in >50% reduction in reproductive capacity of each species  Likely they will have greatly diminished reproductive output

http://noaa.chesapeakebay.net/ Jamie.King@noaa.gov 410-267-5655 Science, Service, & Stewardship NOAA Chesapeake Bay Office NOAA Chesapeake Bay Office