Production of "spat on shell," using aquaculture techniques where oyster larvae are cultured and allowed to metamorphose ("set") onto oyster shells - called cultch- in tanks is underway through a collaborative program between Virginia's oyster industry, the Virginia Marine Resources Commission, and the Virginia Institute of Marine Science. The spat on shell product is being tested at oyster restoration sites throughout the Virginia portion of the Chesapeake Bay. The Virginia oyster industry provides the infrastructure and labor behind this effort. For the purpose of oyster restoration, advantages of spat on shell relative to the culture of single oysters include reduced predation from cownose rays, the ability to plant cultured oysters at a smaller size, and the reef building quality of spat on shell.