Monitoring and Restoration Programs

These components of the VIMS Molluscan Ecology program are listed together in that they go hand in hand. Monitoring data is required not only to evaluate the success or failure of a restoration effort but also to wisely focus effort on restoration sites with the most promise in light of years of pre-restoration data.

Programmatically, we have been in the business of monitoring Virginia's oyster resources since the 1940s. In recent years, collaborative agreements with the Virginia Marine Resources Commission Conservation and Replenishment Department have led to continued oyster monitoring as well as oyster stock assessment and restoration activities throughout Virginia waters. Collaborations with VMRC have also allowed us to begin regular monitoring of local hard clam resources. Our rapa whelk monitoring effort would be impossible without continued collaboration and contribution from commercial watermen, local seafood processors, and interested citizens.

• Monitoring Programs
  • Environmental conditions
  • Hard clams
  • Oysters
  • Rapa whelks
    
    
• Restoration Programs
  • Oysters
    
    
• Restoration Tools
  • Virginia Oyster Reef Restoration Map Atlas (Sep 2002)
    
    
• Collaborative Programs
  • Chesapeake Bay Oyster Population Estimation (CBOPE)
  • Native Oyster Restoration Monitoring (NORM)
  • Adaptive oyster restoration in the Piankatank River (2005-06)