1. VIRGINIA SHELLFISH AQUACULTURE AND ACIDIFICATION Michael J. Oesterling Executive Director Shellfish Growers of Virginia Mid-Atlantic Regional Association Coastal Ocean Observing System Annual Meeting 12 MAY 2016 Annapolis, MD

2. Shellfish Growers of Virginia is a trade association incorporated within Virginia. Our mission is to conduct activities necessary for the advancement, expansion and well-being of the shellfish aquaculture industry of Virginia. To accomplish our mission, we have several objectives: 1. To advocate just and proper laws and regulations that impact shellfish aquaculture. 2. To promote public education of the shellfish aquaculture industry. 3. To provide a medium of exchange of experiences and discussions of industry problems. 4. To promote and develop cooperation and friendly relationships among our members.

3. THE VIRGINIA INDUSTRY *Hatchery based..

4. THE VIRGINIA INDUSTRY *Hatchery based. *Hard clams 2015 = 185,000,000 market-size; $32.3million dockside value.

6. SOURCE: VIRGINIA INSTITUTE OF MARINE SCIENCE, MARINE ADVISORY SERVICES. www.vims.edu/map/aquaculture

7. THE VIRGINIA INDUSTRY *Hatchery based. *Hard clams 2015 = 185,000,000 market-size; $32.3-million dockside value. *Oysters 2015 = 35,400,000 individuals; $16.0-million dockside value; 2,600,000,000 eyed-larvae sold for spat-on-shell production.

8. OYSTER AQUACULTURE TECHNIQUES SINGLE OYSTERS FOR THE HALF-SHELL MARKET, PRIMARILY FOR RAW CONSUMPTION SPAT-ON-SHELL FOR SHUCKING, PRIMARILY FOR COOKING

9. SOURCE: VIRGINIA INSTITUTE OF MARINE SCIENCE, MARINE ADVISORY SERVICES. www.vims.edu/map/aquaculture

10. THE VIRGINIA INDUSTRY *Hatchery based. *Hard clams 2013 = 214,100,000 market-size; $34.0-million dockside value. *Oysters 2013 = 31,000,000 individuals; $11.1-million dockside value; 1,486,000,000 eyed-larvae sold for spat-on-shell production. *Shellfish culture directly employs hundreds of full- and part-time Virginians. Source: Virginia Institute of Marine Science, Marine Advisory Services. www.vims.edu/map/aquaculture

11. SOURCE: VIRGINIA INSTITUTE OF MARINE SCIENCE, MARINE ADVISORY SERVICES. www.vims.edu/map/aquaculture

12. ACIDIFICATION COMMENTS *Acidification is here – but there are still questions regarding impacts on shellfish growth and recruitment, especially in natural systems. *Shellfish are NOT doomed. Adaptation is necessary for any estuarine animal. *Ocean Acidification – Upwelling of Corrosive Deepwater *Eutrophication-induced Acidification – Riverine influenced *Cultured shellfish are the canary in the coal mine. It snuck up on Pacific Coast hatcheries with devastating results. The East Coast hatcheries/growers paid a lot of attention to what was happening in the West and immediately began taking steps to prevent a similar occurrence. *In 2011, VIMS convened an acidification workshop, bringing in West Coast industry representatives to explain what had happened, as well as East Coast scientists to describe what was happening on our coast.

14. INDUSTRY RESPONSE *Pay attention and learn! *Hatchery monitoring program coordinated by Virginia Tech and VIMS. Basic water chemistry measurements. Began after the 2011 workshop. *Sophisticated omega monitoring equipment in cooperation with University of New Hampshire. In 2014/15, one hatchery In 2016, two additional hatcheries in program

15. WHAT DOES INDUSTRY NEED? *Public and governmental education/support. *Monitoring Short-term Long-term *Research!!! How will acidification impact different species? What are potential mitigation strategies? Development of cost-effective monitoring equipment. What are adaptive abilities over shorter time periods: 50-100 years versus 50,000-100,000 years?

16. CONTACT: Mike Oesterling, 804-815-1316, mikeo@vashellfish.orgmikeo@vashellfish.org www.vashellfish.org