An Investigation of Utilizing Ripraps as Substrate for Oyster Stocking within Delaware Coastal Bays

Reckenbeil, Brian; Ozbay, Gulnihal

doi:10.4172/2157-7625.1000150

Cited by 1 publication

(1 citation statement)

References 0 publications

Supporting

Mentioning

Contrasting

Order By: Relevance

“…Small scale restoration projects have occurred in the Delaware Inland Bays, which encompass Rehoboth Bay, Indian River Bay, and Little Assawoman Bay. Volunteers in the Delaware Oyster Gardening Program grow oysters for two years on private docks to be utilized for research or restoration purposes ( Reckenbeil & Ozbay, 2014 ). In Maryland and Virginia, federal and state agencies are restoring native Eastern oyster populations and habitats in 10 tributaries (by 2025) as part of the 2014 Chesapeake Bay Watershed Agreement.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Eastern oysters Crassostrea virginica settle near inlets in a lagoonal estuary: spatial and temporal distribution of recruitment in Mid-Atlantic Coastal Bays (Maryland, USA)

Farmer

Klick

Cullen

et al. 2023

PeerJ

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

Background Declines of the Eastern oyster, Crassostrea virginica, and its numerous ecological benefits have spurred oyster restoration initiatives. Successful restoration of a self-sustaining oyster population requires evaluating the temporal and spatial patterns of recruitment (settlement and survival) of oyster larvae in the target waterbody. Restoration of the Eastern oyster population in the Maryland Coastal Bays (MCBs), USA, a shallow lagoonal estuary, is of interest to federal, state, and non-governmental, but the location and timing of natural recruitment is not known. Methods We assessed the spatial and temporal variation in oyster larval recruitment throughout the MCBs using horizontal ceramic tiles and PVC plates. Newly settled oyster larvae (recruits) were monitored biweekly from June to September 2019 and 2020 at 12 sites in the MCBs and a comparison site in Wachapreague, Virginia. Water quality measurements collected included temperature, salinity, dissolved oxygen, pH, and turbidity. The objectives of this study were to determine (1) the most effective substrate and design for monitoring oyster recruitment, (2) the spatial and temporal distribution of oyster larval recruitment in the MCBs, and (3) patterns in oyster larval recruitment that would be applicable to other lagoonal estuaries. Results (1) Ceramic tiles were more effective than PVC plates for recruiting oyster larvae. (2) Peak settlement began during the period from late June through July, and oyster recruitment was greatest at sites closest to the Ocean City and Chincoteague inlets. (3) Areas near broodstock that have slow flushing rates to retain larvae may provide the best environments for recruitment of oysters to lagoonal estuaries. Discussion As the first study on oyster larval recruitment in the MCBs, our results provide insight into their spatial and temporal distribution, methods that can serve as a foundation for future recruitment studies in other lagoonal estuaries, and baseline data that can be used to inform stakeholders and evaluate the success of oyster restoration projects in MCBs.

show abstract

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%