Oyster aquaculture production in Virginia has increased tenfold in the past four years due, for the most part, to the development and dissemination of disease-tolerant oyster stocks. Anu Frank-Lawale of VIMS is examining whether larval growth traits and survival can be improved without compromising important traits in adult oysters, such as disease tolerance, growth rate, and meat weight. This research could provide new breeding strategies for hatcheries, ultimately improving the performance of stocks.
Funded by the 2011 Virginia Sea Grant Project Development Fund
Project detail: Anu Frank-Lawale (VIMS). Selecting for improved eyed larvae production in the Eastern oyster, Crassostrea virginica: genetic relationships between hatchery and field performance
