Progress 12/14/09 to 12/13/14
Outputs
Progress Report Objectives (from AD-416): Objective 1: Develop effective population control strategies for burrowing shrimp utilizing data on age structure, larval recruitment, and movement of these pests and establish protocols for identifying sources of juvenile mortality that constrain oyster aquaculture production in West Coast estuaries. Sub-objective 1.1. Determine whether annual recruitment patterns affect population dynamics of burrowing shrimp populations in West Coast estuaries and apply this to control strategies for oyster culture. Sub-objective 1.2. Evaluate the utility of imadocloprid and selected biological control measures to control newly recruited juvenile shrimp. Sub-objective 1.3. Quantify selected causes of mortality of juvenile oysters at a landscape scale in Willapa Bay, Washington. Develop a field protocol for evaluating juvenile oyster mortality and test the protocol in additional estuaries. Objective 2: Quantify utilization of eelgrass, shellfish, and burrowing shrimp dominated habitat by fish and invertebrates at the estuarine landscape scale and quantify the influence of shellfish aquaculture practices on existing estuarine habitats. Sub-objective 2.1. Quantify fish and invertebrate use of intertidal habitats including oyster aquaculture in Willapa Bay, Washington and evaluate the functional value of these habitats for juvenile English sole. Sub-objective 2.2. Quantify the effects of oyster aquaculture on aquatic vegetation and utilize habitat maps to examine this interaction at the estuarine landscape scale and over inter-annual time frames. Approach (from AD-416): Conduct research in marine/estuarine ecology to develop new and sustainable approaches to controlling bivalve shellfish pests and predators such as burrowing shrimp, crab, and drills. Using a systems approach, examine key aquaculture management practices and their impacts on ecological components of complex, dynamic estuarine environments. Establish a clear understanding of the life history, ecology and biology of key pests and predators that impact survival and production of shellfish. Identify and evaluate potential control agents for efficacy in controlling these pests in an integrated pest management system. Develop a multidisciplinary approach in collaboration with USDA ARS, Oregon State University, and EPA scientists located at the Hatfield Marine Sciences Center, Newport, OR, and elsewhere as needed. Work with outreach and extension personnel groups to transfer technology to shellfish growers. This is the final report for Project 2072-63000-003-00D which was replaced by the new certified project 2072-63000-004-00D, Developing Methods to Improve Survival and Maximize Productivity and Sustainability of Pacific Shellfish A1uaculture", in December, 2014. Details of progress on the new project can be found in the 2015 Annual report for that project. Objectives of both projects are related and fall under National Program 106. For this terminated project, the work was part of Component 5. Improving Production Systems, Developing New Products and Enhancing Product Quality and focused on Problem statement C � Develop Shellfish Systems to Maximize Productivity and Bioeffectiveness. Substantial results were achieved over the five years of this project with significant accomplishments under each objective. Objective one sought to develop effective population control strategies for burrowing shrimp utilizing data on age structure, larval recruitment, and movement of these shrimp which are pests for the West Coast shellfish aquaculture industry. We conducted annual surveys of shrimp populations in four estuaries and mapped the distribution of these shrimp in large portions of two estuaries from 2006 -2012. We demonstrated that populations of both mud shrimp and ghost shrimp were declining in most of these estuaries over this period. Results suggested that shrimp abundance is directly linked to inter-annual variation in recruitment of postlarval shrimp to these estuaries from the coastal ocean. While mud shrimp remain relatively common in Oregon estuaries their populations have collapsed in Washington estuaries in large part due to the presence of an introduced isopod parasite that causes female shrimp to be unable to reproduce. Recruitment of ghost shrimp to Willapa Bay, Washington had been low for about a decade, but increased again from 2011-2013 and we tracked those shrimp to demonstrate that populations increased as well. Interannual recruitment patterns of both shrimp differed in Oregon estuaries with more consistent recruitment. We worked with collaborators to show that ghost shrimp larvae remain relatively close to shore (<10m nautical miles) where larval transport and therefore recruitment back to estuaries is influenced by nearshore currents with strong recruitment years on average occurring when these currents are weaker. It is thus clear that the shellfish industry will experience years when it is more critical to control shrimp than others, and while they may not be able to predict these conditions in advance, they should be able to use recruitment indices to predict when beds should be treated. Growers may also be able to more effectively and prescriptively treat small shrimp with shallow burrows before they become a significant issue. We actively worked with collaborators and the integrated pest management coordinator hired by the shellfish industry to develop and test tools including small venturi pump samplers for tracking shrimp recruitment in order to establish an industry monitoring program and to evaluate the effectiveness of the pesticide imidacloprid for controlling shrimp. This type of information can be incorporated into integrated pest management plans to maintain sustainable aquaculture activities in these estuaries. Objective two sought to quantify utilization of eelgrass, shellfish aquaculture, and burrowing shrimp dominated habitat by fish and invertebrates at the estuarine landscape scale and quantify the influence of shellfish aquaculture practices on existing estuarine habitats. Results of surveys conducted with underwater video and fish traps suggest that most fish including juvenile English sole, shiner perch, and sculpins are found in greater abundance in structured intertidal habitats (both eelgrass and oyster aquaculture) than in open unstructured mudflats. Abundance was also higher during daytime flood tides. We found few significant associations however among the three species of juvenile salmon captured over these same low intertidal habitats in Willapa Bay, nor in the prey items that these fish had consumed. Experiments to examine mortality of juvenile English sole in these three intertidal habitats revealed that predation pressure was high in all three habitats, with staghorn sculpin and crabs being the dominant predators on these small fish. These results suggest that habitat use is species specific and that eelgrass and oysters may function primarily as temporary refuge from predation for those fish that utilize them. Research on this topic is expected to continue in the new project and focus on function of these habitats at the estuarine landscape scale. We quantified the spatial extent of both aquaculture and eelgrass habitats in Willapa Bay using Geographic Information Systems (GIS) layers for intertidal elevation (MLLW), cumulative wave stress, salinity, distance to the mouth, and distance to the nearest channel to quantify the spatial extent and interactions between eelgrass and bivalve aquaculture in Willapa Bay, Washington. The impact of bivalve aquaculture on eelgrass at the landscape scale was measured over three non- consecutive years. While oyster harvest methods had demonstrable effects on eelgrass over time at the individual bed scale, oyster aquaculture reduced eelgrass cover by less than 1% in any given year over the whole estuary. Since eelgrass is widely viewed as essential nursery habitat for commercially valuable fish like English sole and salmon, this research will be useful for permitting decisions regarding both current and proposed expansion of sustainable aquaculture operations in West Coast estuaries. Accomplishments 01 Shrimp recruitment patterns can be used to forecast treatment and advance integrated pest management. Burrowing shrimp are a limiting factor in shellfish aquaculture because they cause oysters to sink under the surface of the sediment and die, necessitating use of pesticides to mitigate damage to shellfish production. ARS researchers in Newport, Oregon, quantified annual patterns of burrowing shrimp larval migration from the near-shore coastal ocean and settlement (recruitment) to west coast estuaries. They found that recruitment varies widely from year to year and from estuary to estuary, although the magnitude of recruitment is directly related to subsequent shrimp population size in these estuaries. This research lays the foundation for use of recruitment indices to predict when treatment of shellfish beds is warranted, enabling more effective and prescriptive management of small shrimp with shallow burrows before they cause significant damage, and also reducing unnecessary treatments.
Impacts
(N/A)
Publications
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Progress 10/01/13 to 09/30/14
Outputs
Progress Report Objectives (from AD-416): Objective 1: Develop effective population control strategies for burrowing shrimp utilizing data on age structure, larval recruitment, and movement of these pests and establish protocols for identifying sources of juvenile mortality that constrain oyster aquaculture production in West Coast estuaries. Sub-objective 1.1. Determine whether annual recruitment patterns affect population dynamics of burrowing shrimp populations in West Coast estuaries and apply this to control strategies for oyster culture. Sub-objective 1.2. Evaluate the utility of imadocloprid and selected biological control measures to control newly recruited juvenile shrimp. Sub-objective 1.3. Quantify selected causes of mortality of juvenile oysters at a landscape scale in Willapa Bay, Washington. Develop a field protocol for evaluating juvenile oyster mortality and test the protocol in additional estuaries. Objective 2: Quantify utilization of eelgrass, shellfish, and burrowing shrimp dominated habitat by fish and invertebrates at the estuarine landscape scale and quantify the influence of shellfish aquaculture practices on existing estuarine habitats. Sub-objective 2.1. Quantify fish and invertebrate use of intertidal habitats including oyster aquaculture in Willapa Bay, Washington and evaluate the functional value of these habitats for juvenile English sole. Sub-objective 2.2. Quantify the effects of oyster aquaculture on aquatic vegetation and utilize habitat maps to examine this interaction at the estuarine landscape scale and over inter-annual time frames. Approach (from AD-416): Conduct research in marine/estuarine ecology to develop new and sustainable approaches to controlling bivalve shellfish pests and predators such as burrowing shrimp, crab, and drills. Using a systems approach, examine key aquaculture management practices and their impacts on ecological components of complex, dynamic estuarine environments. Establish a clear understanding of the life history, ecology and biology of key pests and predators that impact survival and production of shellfish. Identify and evaluate potential control agents for efficacy in controlling these pests in an integrated pest management system. Develop a multidisciplinary approach in collaboration with USDA ARS, Oregon State University, and EPA scientists located at the Hatfield Marine Sciences Center, Newport, OR, and elsewhere as needed. Work with outreach and extension personnel groups to transfer technology to shellfish growers. Substantial progress has been made on Objective 1. Survey results revealed that populations of two species of burrowing shrimp are declining in estuaries along the U.S. West coast. These shrimp act as pests and cause substantial problems for the shellfish aquaculture industry. Results also suggest that shrimp abundance is directly linked to inter-annual variation in recruitment, since shrimp larvae leave and then must return to these estuaries from the coastal ocean. In 2013, as in 2012, recruitment of ghost shrimp to Willapa Bay, Washington, was substantial whereas lower levels of both ghost shrimp and mud shrimp were recruited to Oregon estuaries. These patterns were reversed from 2010 and 2011, when substantial recruitment of ghost and mud shrimp occurred to Oregon estuaries but were lower in Washington estuaries. We are actively working with the integrated pest management coordinator hired by the shellfish industry to develop and test tools including small venturi pump samplers for tracking shrimp recruitment in order to establish an industry monitoring program. Although we have been unable to directly relate recruitment patterns to ocean conditions to date, it is clear that the shellfish industry will experience years when it is more critical to control shrimp than others. Project collaborators have determined that the pesticide imadocloprid currently being evaluated for shrimp control does not directly kill the shrimp but instead inhibits activity and ability to oxygenate their burrows and thus efficacy is influenced by local conditions including burrow depth, time of application and vegetative cover. This type of information can be incorporated into integrated pest management plans to maintain sustainable aquaculture activities in these estuaries. A tool for consistently measuring juvenile oyster survival and growth was developed and tested in Willapa Bay and we are completing data collection in a second estuary. We observed a gradient in both growth and mortality from the mouth to the head of the estuary and a significant difference between oysters deployed off and on- bottom due to siltation and predation. Substantial progress is also being made towards Objective 2. Results of surveys conducted with underwater video and fish traps suggest that most fish including juvenile English sole, shiner perch, and sculpins are found in greater abundance in structured intertidal habitats (both eelgrass and oyster aquaculture) than in open unstructured mudflats. Abundance is also higher during daytime flood tides. We are currently conducting similar work to assess use of clam aquaculture beds and the introduced eelgrass Zostera japonica. Experiments to examine mortality of juvenile English sole in these three intertidal habitats revealed that predation pressure was high in all three habitats, with staghorn sculpin and crabs being the dominant predators. We quantified the spatial extent of both aquaculture and eelgrass habitats in Willapa Bay and results suggest that eelgrass is affected by oyster aquaculture at the scale of individual beds and by some harvest practices, but is not greatly impacted at the estuarine landscape scale from year to year. Since eelgrass is widely viewed as essential nursery habitat for commercially valuable fish like English sole and salmon, this research will be useful for permitting decisions regarding both current and proposed expansion of sustainable aquaculture operations in West Coast estuaries. Accomplishments 01 Minimal impacts of oyster aquaculture to eelgrass at the landscape scale. Submerged aquatic vegetation like eelgrass provides valuable habitat for estuarine fish and invertebrates in estuaries worldwide and for juvenile salmon on the West Coast of the United States. ARS researchers in Newport, Oregon, used Geographic Informaton Systems (GIS) layers for intertidal elevation (MLLW), cumulative wave stress, salinity, distance to the mouth, and distance to the nearest channel to quantify the distributions of eelgrass and bivalve aquaculture in Willapa Bay, Washington. The impact of bivalve aquaculture on eelgrass at the landscape scale was measured over three non-consecutive years. While oyster harvest methods had demonstrable effects on eelgrass over time at the individual bed scale, oyster aquaculture reduced eelgrass cover by less than 1% in any given year over the whole estuary. This accomplishment will promote sustainable shellfish culture and enable managers and regulators to evaluate the potential effects of both existing and expanded oyster aquaculture on estuarine habitat.
Impacts
(N/A)
Publications
- Dumbauld, B.R., Mercer, D.M., Camara, M.D. 2014. Isolation and characterization of novel microsatellite loci in two species of burrowing shrimp Neotrypaea californiensis and Upogebia pugettensis. Conservation Genetics Resources. 9(2):353-356.
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Progress 10/01/12 to 09/30/13
Outputs
Progress Report Objectives (from AD-416): Objective 1: Develop effective population control strategies for burrowing shrimp utilizing data on age structure, larval recruitment, and movement of these pests and establish protocols for identifying sources of juvenile mortality that constrain oyster aquaculture production in West Coast estuaries. Sub-objective 1.1. Determine whether annual recruitment patterns affect population dynamics of burrowing shrimp populations in West Coast estuaries and apply this to control strategies for oyster culture. Sub-objective 1.2. Evaluate the utility of imadocloprid and selected biological control measures to control newly recruited juvenile shrimp. Sub-objective 1.3. Quantify selected causes of mortality of juvenile oysters at a landscape scale in Willapa Bay, Washington. Develop a field protocol for evaluating juvenile oyster mortality and test the protocol in additional estuaries. Objective 2: Quantify utilization of eelgrass, shellfish, and burrowing shrimp dominated habitat by fish and invertebrates at the estuarine landscape scale and quantify the influence of shellfish aquaculture practices on existing estuarine habitats. Sub-objective 2.1. Quantify fish and invertebrate use of intertidal habitats including oyster aquaculture in Willapa Bay, Washington and evaluate the functional value of these habitats for juvenile English sole. Sub-objective 2.2. Quantify the effects of oyster aquaculture on aquatic vegetation and utilize habitat maps to examine this interaction at the estuarine landscape scale and over inter-annual time frames. Approach (from AD-416): Conduct research in marine/estuarine ecology to develop new and sustainable approaches to controlling bivalve shellfish pests and predators such as burrowing shrimp, crab, and drills. Using a systems approach, examine key aquaculture management practices and their impacts on ecological components of complex, dynamic estuarine environments. Establish a clear understanding of the life history, ecology and biology of key pests and predators that impact survival and production of shellfish. Identify and evaluate potential control agents for efficacy in controlling these pests in an integrated pest management system. Develop a multidisciplinary approach in collaboration with USDA ARS, Oregon State University, and EPA scientists located at the Hatfield Marine Sciences Center, Newport, OR, and elsewhere as needed. Work with outreach and extension personnel groups to transfer technology to shellfish growers. FY03 Program Increase $223,537. 1 SY. FY04 Program Increase $120,783. Replacing 5358-63000-001-00D (7/05). Replacing 5358- 63000-002-00D (11/09). Substantial progress has been made on Objective 1. Survey results revealed that populations of two species of burrowing shrimp are declining in estuaries along the US West coast. These shrimp act as pests and cause substantial problems for the shellfish aquaculture industry. Results also suggest that shrimp abundance is directly linked to inter- annual variation in recruitment, since shrimp larvae are flushed from and then must return to these estuaries from the coastal ocean. Substantial recruitment of ghost and mud shrimp occurred to Oregon estuaries in 2010 and 2011 respectively, but not to our long term monitoring sites in Washington estuaries. Recruitment patterns were reversed in 2012 with fairly substantial recruitment of ghost shrimp to Willapa Bay and lower levels in Oregon estuaries. We are actively working with the integrated pest management coordinator hired by the shellfish industry to establish an industry program to track shrimp recruitment to Willapa Bay. Although to date, we have been unable to directly relate recruitment patterns to ocean conditions, we are actively pursuing this research and it is already clear that the shellfish industry will experience years when it is more critical to control shrimp than others. This type of information can be incorporated into integrated pest management plans to maintain sustainable aquaculture activities in these estuaries. A tool for consistently measuring juvenile oyster survival and growth was developed and tested in Willapa Bay. We observed a gradient in both growth and mortality from the mouth to the head of the estuary and a significant difference between oysters deployed off and on-bottom due to siltation and predation. Substantial progress is also being made towards Objective 2. Results of surveys conducted with underwater video and fish traps suggest that most fish including juvenile English sole, shiner perch, and sculpins are found in greater abundance in structured intertidal habitats (both eelgrass and oyster aquaculture) than in open unstructured mudflat. Abundance is also higher during daytime flood tides. Experiments to examine mortality of juvenile English sole in these three intertidal habitats revealed that predation pressure was high in all three habitats with staghorn sculpin and crabs being the dominant predators. We have quantified the spatial extent of both aquaculture and eelgrass habitats in Willapa Bay in order to extend these results to the estuarine landscape scale. Since eelgrass is widely viewed as essential nursery habitat for commercially valuable fish like English sole and salmon, this research will be useful for permitting decisions regarding both current and proposed expansion of sustainable aquaculture operations in West Coast estuaries. Accomplishments 01 Burrowing Shrimp Recruitment Monitoring Tool. The burrowing activities of two species of shrimp cause shellfish to sink under the mud and die in West Coast estuaries. The aquaculture industry has addressed this problem by annually treating some of their beds with a pesticide, but are searching for alternative control measures and attempting to implement an integrated pest management program. ARS researchers in Newport, Oregon, discovered that shrimp population abundance can be traced to distinct years when shrimp pelagic larvae recruit to each estuary. Although it is not yet clear what influences inter-annual trends in mortality and abundance of these larvae, their abundance after settlement can be used to forecast the need for treatment of older shrimp on aquaculture beds, since the researchers have also documented little movement of larger adult shrimp from place to place. This accomplishment will enable researchers and producers to develop simple monitoring techniques that can be used to track recruitment and be adopted in their integrated pest management program.
Impacts
(N/A)
Publications
- Griffith, S.M., Banowetz, G.M. 2013. Chemical characterization of chars developed from thermochemical treatment of Kentucky bluegrass seed screenings. Chemosphere. 92:1275-1279.
- Lautenbach, S., Volk, M., Strauch, M., Whittaker, G.W., Seppelt, R. 2013. Optimization based trade-off analysis of biodiesel crop production for managing a German agricultural catchment. Environmental Modelling & Software. 48:98-112.
- Gavin, W.E., Mueller Warrant, G.W., Griffith, S.M., Banowetz, G.M. 2012. Removal of Molluscicidal Bait Pellets by Earthworms and its Impact on Control of the Gray Field Slug, Derocerus reticulatum Mueller, in Western Oregon Grass Seed Fields. Crop Protection Journal. 42:94-101.
- Chapman, J.W., Dumbauld, B.R., Itani, G., Markham, J.C. 2012. An introduced Asian parasite threatens northeastern Pacific estuarine ecosystems. Biological Invasions. 14:1221-1236.
- Zu Ermgassen, P.S., Spalding, M.D., Blake, B., Coen, L.D., Dumbauld, B.R., Geiger, S., Grabowski, J.H., Grizzle, R., Luckenbach, M., Mcgraw, K., Rodney, W., Ruesink, J.L., Powers, S.P., Brumbaugh, R. 2012. Historical ecology with real numbers: Past and present extent and biomass of an imperilled estuarine habitat. Proceedings of the Royal Society of London: Biological Sciences. 279:3393-3400.
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Progress 10/01/11 to 09/30/12
Outputs
Progress Report Objectives (from AD-416): Objective 1: Develop effective population control strategies for burrowing shrimp utilizing data on age structure, larval recruitment, and movement of these pests and establish protocols for identifying sources of juvenile mortality that constrain oyster aquaculture production in West Coast estuaries. Sub-objective 1.1. Determine whether annual recruitment patterns affect population dynamics of burrowing shrimp populations in West Coast estuaries and apply this to control strategies for oyster culture. Sub-objective 1.2. Evaluate the utility of imadocloprid and selected biological control measures to control newly recruited juvenile shrimp. Sub-objective 1.3. Quantify selected causes of mortality of juvenile oysters at a landscape scale in Willapa Bay, Washington. Develop a field protocol for evaluating juvenile oyster mortality and test the protocol in additional estuaries. Objective 2: Quantify utilization of eelgrass, shellfish, and burrowing shrimp dominated habitat by fish and invertebrates at the estuarine landscape scale and quantify the influence of shellfish aquaculture practices on existing estuarine habitats. Sub-objective 2.1. Quantify fish and invertebrate use of intertidal habitats including oyster aquaculture in Willapa Bay, Washington and evaluate the functional value of these habitats for juvenile English sole. Sub-objective 2.2. Quantify the effects of oyster aquaculture on aquatic vegetation and utilize habitat maps to examine this interaction at the estuarine landscape scale and over inter-annual time frames. Approach (from AD-416): Conduct research in marine/estuarine ecology to develop new and sustainable approaches to controlling bivalve shellfish pests and predators such as burrowing shrimp, crab, and drills. Using a systems approach, examine key aquaculture management practices and their impacts on ecological components of complex, dynamic estuarine environments. Establish a clear understanding of the life history, ecology and biology of key pests and predators that impact survival and production of shellfish. Identify and evaluate potential control agents for efficacy in controlling these pests in an integrated pest management system. Develop a multidisciplinary approach in collaboration with USDA ARS, Oregon State University, and EPA scientists located at the Hatfield Marine Sciences Center, Newport, Oregon, and elsewhere as needed. Work with outreach and extension personnel groups to transfer technology to shellfish growers. Substantial progress has been made on objective 1. Survey results revealed that populations of two species of burrowing shrimp are declining in estuaries along the US West coast. These shrimp act as pests and cause substantial problems for the shellfish aquaculture industry. Results also suggest that shrimp abundance is directly linked to inter- annual variation in recruitment, since shrimp larvae are flushed from and then must return to these estuaries from the coastal ocean. Substantial recruitment of ghost and mud shrimp occurred in Oregon, estuaries in 2010 and 2011 respectively, but not in our long term monitoring sites in Washington estuaries. Recruitment appears to be lower again in 2012, but we were alerted to and, in collaboration with the integrated pest management coordinator hired by the industry, documented the presence of two year old ghost shrimp (2010 recruits) outside our monitoring location in Willapa Bay. Although we have been unable to directly relate recruitment patterns to ocean conditions, this research suggests that the industry should continue to monitor shrimp recruitment because it relates directly to the abundance of older shrimp and that they will experience years when it is more critical to control shrimp than others. This type of information can be incorporated into integrated pest management plans to maintain sustainable aquaculture activities in these estuaries. Progress is also being made towards objective 2. Results of surveys conducted with underwater video and fish traps suggest that most fish including juvenile English sole, shiner perch, and sculpins are found in greater abundance in structured intertidal habitats (both eelgrass and oyster aquaculture) than in open unstructured mudflat. Abundance is also higher during daytime flood tides. No detectable difference however was observed in crab abundance between structured and unstructured habitats or day and night flood tides. Experiments to examine growth and mortality of juvenile English sole in these three intertidal habitats are underway and we have quantified the spatial extent of aquaculture and eelgrass in Willapa Bay. Since eelgrass is widely viewed as essential nursery habitat for commercially valuable fish like English sole, this research will be useful for permitting decisions regarding both current and proposed expansion of sustainable aquaculture operations in West Coast estuaries. Accomplishments 01 Burrowing shrimp population assessments. Two species of burrowing shrimp cause significant problems for the U.S. West coast shellfish aquaculture industry and growers in Washington state have used a pesticide to contro them for 60 years. The industry is currently seeking alternative contro measures as part of an integrated pest management program. ARS researche in Newport, Oregon, implemented an annual monitoring program in several estuaries in 2005 and mapped the distribution of these shrimp in large portions of two estuaries from 2006 � 2012. Results indicate that populations of both species have declined markedly over this 6 year peri and that these declines are tied to inter-annual fluctuations in larval recruitment. ARS researchers are collaborating with colleagues at Oregon State University to further define mortality sources and potentially predict population trends and working with industry to incorporate this information directly into integrated pest management plans to sustain aquaculture activities in these estuaries.
Impacts
(N/A)
Publications
- Coen, L.D., Dumbauld, B.R., Judge, M.L. 2011. Expanding shellfish aquaculture: A review of the ecological services provided by and impacts of native and cultured bivalves in shellfish dominated ecosystems. In: Shumway, S.E. editor. Shellfish Aquaculture and the Environment. Hoboken, NJ: Wiley-Blackwell. p. 239-318.
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Progress 10/01/10 to 09/30/11
Outputs
Progress Report Objectives (from AD-416) Objective 1: Develop effective population control strategies for burrowing shrimp utilizing data on age structure, larval recruitment, and movement of these pests and establish protocols for identifying sources of juvenile mortality that constrain oyster aquaculture production in West Coast estuaries. Sub-objective 1.1. Determine whether annual recruitment patterns affect population dynamics of burrowing shrimp populations in West Coast estuaries and apply this to control strategies for oyster culture. Sub-objective 1.2. Evaluate the utility of imadocloprid and selected biological control measures to control newly recruited juvenile shrimp. Sub-objective 1.3. Quantify selected causes of mortality of juvenile oysters at a landscape scale in Willapa Bay, Washington. Develop a field protocol for evaluating juvenile oyster mortality and test the protocol in additional estuaries. Objective 2: Quantify utilization of eelgrass, shellfish, and burrowing shrimp dominated habitat by fish and invertebrates at the estuarine landscape scale and quantify the influence of shellfish aquaculture practices on existing estuarine habitats. Sub-objective 2.1. Quantify fish and invertebrate use of intertidal habitats including oyster aquaculture in Willapa Bay, Washington and evaluate the functional value of these habitats for juvenile English sole. Sub-objective 2.2. Quantify the effects of oyster aquaculture on aquatic vegetation and utilize habitat maps to examine this interaction at the estuarine landscape scale and over inter-annual time frames. Approach (from AD-416) Conduct research in marine/estuarine ecology to develop new and sustainable approaches to controlling bivalve shellfish pests and predators such as burrowing shrimp, crab, and drills. Using a systems approach, examine key aquaculture management practices and their impacts on ecological components of complex, dynamic estuarine environments. Establish a clear understanding of the life history, ecology and biology of key pests and predators that impact survival and production of shellfish. Identify and evaluate potential control agents for efficacy in controlling these pests in an integrated pest management system. Develop a multidisciplinary approach in collaboration with USDA ARS, Oregon State University, and EPA scientists located at the Hatfield Marine Sciences Center, Newport, OR, and elsewhere as needed. Work with outreach and extension personnel groups to transfer technology to shellfish growers. Progress was made on both objectives and their subobjectives, all of which fall under National Program 106, Component 5, Improving Production Systems, Developing New Products and Enhancing Product Quality. Progress on this project focuses on Problem 5C, the need for a better understanding of the interaction between shellfish aquaculture production systems and the environment. Significant progress was made in completing analysis of a multi-year survey which revealed that populations of two species of burrowing shrimp that cause substantial problems for the shellfish aquaculture industry are declining in estuaries along the US West coast. Survey results suggested that shrimp abundance is directly linked to interannual variation in recruitment, since shrimp larvae are flushed from and then must return to these estuaries from the coastal ocean. New research was initiated to determine whether this was the result of oceanographic conditions and to track the fate of this new year class of juvenile shrimp.
Impacts
(N/A)
Publications
- Dumbauld, B.R., Kauffman, B.E., Trimble, A.C., Ruesink, J.L. 2011. The Willapa Bay Oyster Reserves in Washington State: Fishery collapse, creating a sustainable replacement, and the potential for habitat conservation and restoration. Journal of Shellfish Research. 30:71-83.
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Progress 10/01/09 to 09/30/10
Outputs
Progress Report Objectives (from AD-416) Objective 1: Develop effective population control strategies for burrowing shrimp utilizing data on age structure, larval recruitment, and movement of these pests and establish protocols for identifying sources of juvenile mortality that constrain oyster aquaculture production in West Coast estuaries. Sub-objective 1.1. Determine whether annual recruitment patterns affect population dynamics of burrowing shrimp populations in West Coast estuaries and apply this to control strategies for oyster culture. Sub-objective 1.2. Evaluate the utility of imadocloprid and selected biological control measures to control newly recruited juvenile shrimp. Sub-objective 1.3. Quantify selected causes of mortality of juvenile oysters at a landscape scale in Willapa Bay, Washington. Develop a field protocol for evaluating juvenile oyster mortality and test the protocol in additional estuaries. Objective 2: Quantify utilization of eelgrass, shellfish, and burrowing shrimp dominated habitat by fish and invertebrates at the estuarine landscape scale and quantify the influence of shellfish aquaculture practices on existing estuarine habitats. Sub-objective 2.1. Quantify fish and invertebrate use of intertidal habitats including oyster aquaculture in Willapa Bay, Washington and evaluate the functional value of these habitats for juvenile English sole. Sub-objective 2.2. Quantify the effects of oyster aquaculture on aquatic vegetation and utilize habitat maps to examine this interaction at the estuarine landscape scale and over inter-annual time frames. Approach (from AD-416) Conduct research in marine/estuarine ecology to develop new and sustainable approaches to controlling bivalve shellfish pests and predators such as burrowing shrimp, crab, and drills. Using a systems approach, examine key aquaculture management practices and their impacts on ecological components of complex, dynamic estuarine environments. Establish a clear understanding of the life history, ecology and biology of key pests and predators that impact survival and production of shellfish. Identify and evaluate potential control agents for efficacy in controlling these pests in an integrated pest management system. Develop a multidisciplinary approach in collaboration with USDA ARS, Oregon State University, and EPA scientists located at the Hatfield Marine Sciences Center, Newport, OR, and elsewhere as needed. Work with outreach and extension personnel groups to transfer technology to shellfish growers. FY03 Program Increase $223,537. 1 SY. FY04 Program Increase $120,783. Replacing 5358-63000-001-00D (7/05). Replacing 5358- 63000-002-00D (11/09). Project 5358-63000-003-00D, approved through the OSQR process replaced project 5358-63000-002-00D which was terminated 12/13/2009 (natural progression). Refer to terminated project for accomplishments. An underwater video system was developed and used to track fish behavior in oyster, eelgrass and open unstructured habitats in Willapa Bay, Washington. Results suggest that mobile fish and invertebrates and in particular juvenile English sole that utilize estuaries as a nursery in their first year of life, preferentially select structured habitats over open unstructured sand and mud. Further work was begun to elucidate whether this was for protection from larger predators or for feed in and particularly how shellfish aquaculture influences habitat use at a larger landscape scale. This is important for maintaining sustainable aquaculture activities in these marine environments where permits have recently been re-evaluated and management agencies are increasingly concerned with conserving endangered species and protecting essential fish habitats.
Impacts
(N/A)
Publications
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