Addressing a fishery disaster: Biological and environmental factors associated with the emergence of an undescribed apicomplexan parasite and the collapse of the bay scallop fishery in New York
These suite of projects address knowledge gaps related to factors that can dictate disease
development and mortality outbreaks in a major local fishery, but also to the potential risk of disease spread
to other productive regions in the Northeast. In addition, they investigate the potential and the routes for
maintaining a sustainable fishery, and examines the vulnerability of fishing communities. They provide information (e.g., distribution of the parasite in the Northeast, effect of temperature on disease dynamics) and biological resources to support resource management and restoration efforts.
NYSG. 2/1/2024-1/31/2026. Characterization and dynamics of bay scallop Marosporida (BSM), an emergent parasite of Argopecten irradians irradians.
NOAA/Satonstall-Kennedy. 3/1/2024-2/28/2026. Addressing a fishery disaster: Biological and environmental factors associated with the emergence of an undescribed apicomplexan parasite and the collapse of the bay scallop fishery in New York.
New York State. 4/01/2022-3/31/2027. Understanding and mitigating infectious diseases and environmental challenges facing marine resources in New York State.
NYSG. 2/1/2022-1/31/2024. Against all odds: Development of bay scallop strains that resist temperature and disease stress.
USDA/NRAC. 12/01/2021-11/30/2023. Development of resistant bay scallop strains for aquaculture in the Northeast.
Sea Grant Hard Clam Selective Breeding Collaborative
The Sea Grant Hard Clam Selective Breeding Collaborative mission is to use research to establish an accelerated selective breeding program for the hard clam (M. mercenaria), in order to increase resiliency throughout the growing range along the Atlantic seaboard. This overarching goal will be achieved through the following specific objectives:
- Complete the hard clam genome to develop an efficient and cost-effective genotyping platform to be used as a diagnostic tool.
- Apply this tool to identify QPX-resistant and heat-tolerant clams, so that these animals can be selectively bred to produce resistant seed (validated during field trials).
- Use the research accomplishments to build the National Sea Grant Hard Clam Hub network, linking scientists, Sea Grant and Cooperative Extension, and the hard clam aquaculture industry.
By using resilient seed produced by the Sea Grant Hard Clam Breeding Hub, the industry will actively mitigate at least two barriers that contribute to production loss.
USDA grant: 2019-2022
NOAA. 2023-2025
Web site: https://storymaps.arcgis.com/stories/3425623358164278bbe1ed7f7311a605
Climate change impacts on larval dispersal of continental shelf bivalves. (Dr. Czaja R.)
Overall Objectives: To investigate the impacts of ocean warming and acidification on New York Bight larval
surfclam and sea scallop dispersal via 1) lab experiments that quantify larval survival, development and
swimming behavior in response to ocean warming and acidification conditions and 2) modern modelling
techniques that simulate larval dispersal, by incorporating previous field observations and the results from
the lab experiments, under ocean warming and acidification conditions.
NYSG/NYSDEC: 2023-2025
From sequence to consequence: genomic selection to expand and improve selective breeding for the eastern oyster.
The project aims to develop genome-based approaches to improve selective breeding
ASMFC/NOAA. 2019-2025