Oysters

Archived Top Stories

Oyster aquaculture limits disease in wild oyster populations

A study initiated by Dr. Ryan Carnegie of VIMS reveals that oyster aquaculture can limit the spread of disease among wild populations of the tasty bivalve. The findings counter long-held beliefs that diseases often spread from farmed to wild populations.

York River Salinity
Recent rains impact Chesapeake Bay, marine research

Unusually fresh waters have impacted everything from algal blooms to fish distributions, oyster mortality and disease prevalence, the conduct of lab experiments, and the incidence of low-oxygen dead zones.

Icy Tributary
Where’s the water, and why the ice?

In an era of sea-level rise and global warming, almost two weeks of low tides and chilly temps has raised a host of questions, as well as concerns among vessel operators and oyster growers. VIMS professors help explain the apparent contradictions.

Students gain skills through aquaculture training program

Four rising professionals recently completed a training program in oyster aquaculture at the Virginia Institute of Marine Science, providing them with the skills needed to advance in this rapidly growing industry.

Interns embark on careers in oyster aquaculture

VIMS recently celebrated the sixth group of interns to graduate from its Oyster Aquaculture Training Program during a reception on the Gloucester Point campus.

VIMS prof honored by Inventors Hall of Fame

Inventor of the Year Award to Dr. Stan Allen recognizes his patented method for producing spawnless oysters, which has revolutionized aquaculture worldwide.

VIMS trains interns in oyster aquaculture

The Virginia Institute of Marine Science recently celebrated the graduation of four emerging professionals needed to advance Chesapeake Bay’s rapidly growing oyster-farming industry.

VIMS welcomes oyster aquaculture interns

The Virginia Institute of Marine Science recently welcomed the fifth group of interns to its six-month Oyster Aquaculture Training Program (OAT) to learn the skills needed to enter Chesapeake Bay’s rapidly growing oyster-farming industry.

Interns gain hands-on experience in oyster aquaculture

The Virginia Institute of Marine Science recently celebrated the graduation of four emerging professionals who will be joining the ranks of Chesapeake Bay’s rapidly growing oyster aquaculture industry.

Partnership nurtures oyster gardens—and gardeners

A recent gathering of “Master Oyster Gardeners” is the latest chapter in a fruitful partnership between VIMS scientists and members of the Tidewater Oyster Gardeners Association, or TOGA.

Oyster aquaculture on upswing in Virginia

A new report from VIMS and Virginia Sea Grant shows the Commonwealth’s oyster aquaculture industry is poised to begin its biggest growth spurt ever.

Public-private partnership aids oyster industry

Local oyster growers and VIMS researchers find that moving farmed oysters into saltier waters just prior to harvest nearly eliminates the presence of a bacterium that can sicken humans.

Pioneering VIMS scientist passes away at 92

Professor emeritus Dexter Haven was a pioneer in early shellfish studies in Chesapeake Bay, and lead author of what many consider the seminal paper on the Bay's oyster stock and fishery.

Senator Warner visits VIMS to discuss oyster restoration

Visit coincides with a growing recognition that increased disease resistance, a local surge in oyster aquaculture, and recently announced federal restoration goals promise new opportunities for restoring Bay oysters.

VIMS oyster study confirms early Jamestown drought

A VIMS study of 400-year-old oyster shells from the Jamestown settlement confirms that a harsh drought plagued the early years of the colony and made the James River much saltier than today.

VIMS to help restore marine life to seaside bays

VIMS researchers will collaborate with public and private partners on a new effort to restore oysters, seagrass, and bay scallops to Virginia's seaside bays.

Survey reflects rapid expansion of Virginia’s oyster aquaculture

A survey of Virginia’s oyster farmers shows a dramatic increase in the number of seed and larvae sold between 2007 and 2008. The survey, by VIMS’ Sea Grant Extension Program, also found that hatcheries predict an additional 4-fold increase in sales for 2009.

Survey shows growth in VA clam, oyster aquaculture

A survey by researchers with the Sea Grant program at VIMS shows that shellfish farmers planted more than half a billion clams and 18 million oysters in Virginia waters last year. The annual survey, which began three years ago, marks the first effort to track economic trends in shellfish aquaculture in the Commonwealth.