Location: National Cold Water Marine Aquaculture Center
Project Number: 8030-10600-002-000-D
Project Type: In-House Appropriated
Start Date: May 23, 2025
End Date: May 22, 2030
Objective:
Objective 1: Establish regional genetic improvement programs for eastern oyster aquaculture in the northeast and Gulf of Mexico that deliver improved stocks to industry.
1A. Assess the genetic diversity and population structure of wild and cultured eastern oyster populations in the Northeast U.S.A.
1B. Identify a subset of eastern oyster populations that represents the genetic diversity present in the Northeast U.S. and interbreed them to produce a base population for selective breeding.
1C. Evaluate commercially important traits in families from the synthetic Northeast population and estimate quantitative genetic parameters to inform selection.
1D. Develop a genetically diverse, high-performing, salinity tolerant tetraploid line for the GoM.
Objective 2: Develop breeding strategies that improve eastern oyster aquaculture production efficiency.
2A. Develop strategies to reduce the cost of genomic selection using imputation and low-density microhaplotype panels.
2B. Develop a method for sex identification during the conditioning process.
2C. Develop phenotyping strategies and biomarkers for commercially important traits.
2D. Develop improved models of eastern oyster growth and physiologic to link environmental site characteristics and husbandry to production.
Approach:
Total eastern oyster sales in the U.S. were valued at $135 million in 2018. Changing food trends continue to increase consumer demand for high-quality seafood, including oysters for the half-shell market. A growing number of new farm leases has facilitated a rise in aquaculture production, and there is potential for even greater industry growth through the application of optimized systems and advanced technologies. Eastern oysters are distributed across highly heterogeneous environments, and farmers typically utilize stocks a few generations removed from the wild. Genetic improvement is a viable strategy for promoting eastern oyster performance (e.g., growth, yield, and survival) and reducing production losses caused by diverse environmental stressors at regional scales. New genetic improvement programs benefit from maximized genetic diversity in the base population and the incorporation of genomic information to accelerate genetic gains. Improvement programs can also benefit from scientific studies that enhance our understanding of fundamental genetic and physiological mechanisms underlying traits with commercial importance and how they interact with the environment. This project plan proposes to support eastern oyster aquaculture by meeting the following objectives: 1) establish regional genetic improvement programs for eastern oyster aquaculture in the Northeast and Gulf of Mexico that deliver improved stocks to industry and 2) develop breeding strategies that improve eastern oyster aquaculture production efficiency. Maintenance of a strong, sustainable, domestic cultured oyster industry supported by relevant scientific research can offset the reduction in fisheries landings and dependence on imported seafood to provide safe, affordable, high-quality products for local consumers.