Non-native Oysters in the Chesapeake Bay

Through requests from the regional research, management, and industry communities, the National Academy of Sciences (NAS) recently agreed to '?examine the ecological and socio-economic risks and benefits of open water aquaculture or direct introduction of the non-native oyster, Crassostrea ariakensis, in the Chesapeake Bay.' Through support from the US EPA, NOAA, US FWS, MD DNR, Virginia Sea Grant, Maryland Sea Grant, and Connecticut Sea Grant, the NAS has convened an experts committee to review all pertinent information relevant to this issue. As part of this effort to gather as much information as possible, the Scientific and Technical Advisory Committee (STAC) of the Chesapeake Bay Program (CBP) co-sponsored with the NAS a two day meeting that convened regional researchers, managers, watermen, and industry representatives to provide short summaries of C. ariakensis related materials for NAS Committee deliberations. Meeting topics were derived from submitted suggestions and Committee needs.