Oyster aquaculture, a quickly growing industry, creates jobs, a sustainable food source and relieves pressure on wild oyster populations. Now after growers across Virginia reported especially high mortality rates for the summer of 2014, Joseph Matt of Virginia Institute of Marine Science will investigate cross breeding as a possible cause for the mortality event. Some Virginia tetraploid oysters are bred with diploid oysters from Maine, and Matt’s work will look at whether there is a relationship between brood stock origin and triploid mortality. The results could help commercial growers make more informed decisions about the oysters they plant.
Fellow: Joseph Matt (VIMS)
Advisor: Stan Allen (VIMS)
Outreach Mentor: Karen Hudson (Shellfish Aquaculture Extension Specialist with Marine Advisory Services and the Virginia Sea Grant Extension Program)
