Speaker: Megan Considine, Marine Resource Management M.Sc., Oregon State University

Topic: Shell Boring Polychaetes and the Pacific Northwest Oyster Aquaculture Industry: Spatial Distribution, Mitigation Strategies, and Stakeholder Engagement

Shell-boring polychaetes pose economic risks for oyster aquaculture industries as they reduce the aesthetic quality of oyster products by creating unsightly mud-filled blisters on the inside of the shell. Recently there has been an uptick in mud blister worm infestations on commercial oyster farms in the Pacific Northwest, the leading bivalve producer in the United States. This talk will present research findings of a recent initiative to (1) quantify the current distribution of shell boring polychaetes on oyster farms (2) determine how prevalence of infestation varies with differences in season, culture techniques, and oyster metrics, and (3) identify treatments to reduce transmission and mitigate impacts. This talk will also focus on connections of this research to various stakeholder groups including industry, consumers, resource managers, and policymakers.