Nonnative Oysters in the Chesapeake Bay (2004) / Chapter Skim
Currently Skimming:
1. Executive Summary
1. Executive Summary
Pages 1-14
The Chapter Skim interface presents what we've algorithmically identified as the most significant single chunk of text within every page in the chapter.
Select key terms on the right to highlight them within pages of the chapter.
From page 1... ...
Today, we stand at an unprecedented crossroads, facing a conscious decision to introduce or not to introduce a nonnative oyster in the hope that this action will improve prospects for both the fisheries and the environment. It is unrealistic to 1
|
From page 2... ...
for use in aquaculture or as a reproductive diploid that could either augment or supplant the diseased populations of the native oyster (see Box 1.1~. In the past, introductions of nonnative species were not subjected to this level of scrutiny, but rising awareness of the potential ecological and economic problems associated with invasive nonnative species has made resource managers more cautious.
|
From page 3... ...
Most of the problems associated with previous introductions of nonnative oysters arose from the cointroduction of other marine pest species. Shipments of Pacific oysters contained oyster parasites, pathogens, and predators as well as aquatic plants used as packing material.
|
From page 4... ...
There remains some risk that a nonnative oyster by itself will cause serious ecological problems. The Pacific oyster C
|
From page 5... ...
· Develop a model of oyster larval dispersion based on a detailed circulation model for the Chesapeake Bay and incorporating information about differences in the larval behavior or physiology of native and nonnative oysters to predict their dispersal patterns. What Are the Potential Economic and Social Impacts of a Nonnative Oyster?
|
From page 6... ...
The impacts of shifting traditional fisheries into aquaculture-based production will depend on the economic consequences and effects on local sociocultural norms. Data for building these models should be collected from both comparable case studies of traditional fisheries shifting into aquaculture-based production and structured interviews with watermen and coastal community members to solicit their perceptions of the likely effects of the various management options.
|
From page 7... ...
MANAGEMENT OPTIONS The committee was asked to evaluate whether the breadth and quality of existing research are sufficient to support risk assessments of three management options: (1) no use of nonnative oysters, (2)
|
From page 8... ...
The main risk identified with pursuing this option would be a continued failure of native oyster restoration efforts with continued decline of the oyster fishery and erosion of the traditional economies and cultures of Chesapeake Bay watermen. Under this option there are additional risks that would arise if the native oyster population failed to rebound, including an erosion of confidence in the ability of managers to address resource problems and continued loss of the ecological functions associated with healthy oyster beds, such as habitat and filtering capacity.
|
From page 9... ...
Aside from the hazard of establishing a self-reproducing population of a nonnative oyster, potential short- and long-term negative impacts of triploid aquaculture include continued or accelerated declines in the traditional oyster fishery, economic exclusion of some harvesters due to the high investment costs required for converting to aquaculture production, potential introduction of pathogens not excluded by adherence to ICES protocols, and conflicts with the cultural value placed on conservation of native species. Managers could face a considerable burden for monitoring aquaculture operations and surveying the bay to detect stray nonnative oysters.
|
From page 10... ...
anakensis provides an opportunity to research the potential effects of extensive triploidbased aquaculture or introduction of reproductive nonnative oysters on the ecology of the bay and offers some additional economic opportunities for the oyster industry and the watermen. Research Recommendations: To fully assess the risks associated with the larger-scale and longer-term aquaculture of triploid C
|
From page 11... ...
; competition with C virginica or fouling of boats, marinas, and other marine structures; dispersal of nonnative oysters outside the bay where competitive displacement of robust native oyster populations might occur; low market demand for nonnative oysters; susceptibility to endemic pathogens, parasites, or fouling organisms or to lower consumer acceptance; abandonment of attempts to restore native oyster; and conflicts with the conservation ethic for maintaining native species.
|
From page 12... ...
Option 3, introduction of diploid, reproductively competent, nonnative oysters may or may not increase the abundance of oysters in the Chesapeake Bay or have a detrimental impact on the ecology of the bay and adjacent waters. This option would be essentially irreversible and would be ill advised given current knowledge.
|
From page 13... ...
Recommendations for Establishing Standards for Nonnative Oyster Aquaculture Before the commencement of open-water aquaculture (or pilot-scale field trials) of triploid nonnative oysters, the committee recommends developing a protocol to minimize and monitor the unintentional release of reproductive C
|
From page 14... ...
4 NO~ OyS~RS ~ ~ ~S~FE~ gay veals Mat a critical limit has been exceeded. Fardes responsible for correcUve acUons and for record keeping should be 1dent1Hed.
|
Key Terms
This material may be derived from roughly machine-read images, and so is provided only to facilitate research.
More
information on Chapter Skim is available.