Oyster aquaculture leases returned to the Delaware Inland Bays (Rehoboth Bay) in 2017 boosting local economies, improving water quality, and providing important habitats for fish and invertebrates. Efforts to monitor and identify relationships between cage depth, oyster condition, water nutrient levels, and pathogens responsible for oyster mortality are vital to successfully manage the re-emerging Eastern oyster (Crassostrea virginica ) industry and restoration in the area. This project will analyze targeted pathogen levels and water quality and correlate these with oyster health at a recently established aquaculture lease.
Pathogen identification is conducted using cultured water and oyster samples collected at surface and bottom depths. The polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qPCR) approaches will be used for the detection of oyster pathogenic vibrios—Vibrio coralliilyticus and Vibrio tubiashii—and parasites responsible for the oyster diseases MSX (Haplosporidium nelsoni) and dermo (Perkinsus marinus) . In-situ water quality data and samples are collected from the same depths and further analyzed for nutrient content.
Oyster condition index (CI) is calculated using Hopkin’s Formula; low CI indicates the oyster and potential offspring are more vulnerable to disease and environmental stressors. The data provided from this study will contribute to a greater understanding of current farming strategies and habitat suitability of study sites in this re-emerging industry.