Sentinel Oyster Project (SOP) – The Sentinel Oyster Project uses is designed to help VIMS researchers gain specific disease information about individual test sites.  Oftentimes, we need to know if Dermo or MSX (two oyster diseases that have devastated oyster populations) exist at a site before we put test strains at that site.  SOP uses oyster strains with varying disease susceptibilities to help us know what disease pressure is present at each gardener test site.  The gardeners also collect water quality data that gives us a better idea of the overall environmental parameters at each site.

SOP sites are located on Chesapeake Bay from Machodac Creek, off the Potomac River, to the Lynnhaven River in Virginia Beach.  As more data becomes from available, you will be able to ckick on each site on the map below and get a synopsis of environmental conditions, oyster growth and survival, and disease pressure.

How can you be involved in SOP?

Start oyster gardening.  For more information, see the VIMS oyster gardening page.  Also look at some of the links below.

VMRC GeneralPermit #3 is required for participation.  Call the habitat division at (757) 247-2252 for an application.

Apply to participate in a Tidewater Oyster Gardening Association (TOGA)/VIMS Master Oyster Gardening Course.

For those already registered, enter your SOP data here.

How can you contact GREEN?

GREEN Coordinator: Shawn Stickler;  E-mail:   stick@vims.edu

    Telephone: (804) 684-7713;  Fax:   (804)684-7717

VIMS Oyster Gardening Contact: Mike Oesterling;  E-mail: mike@vims.edu

     Telephone: (804) 684-7165;  Fax:  (804) 684-7161