VIMS news page

Laurie Ann Sorabella receives Dr. Nancy Foster Scholarship

The U.S. National Oceanic & Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) recently awarded the newly established Dr. Nancy Foster Scholarship to five outstanding graduate-level researchers in the fields of oceanography, marine biology and maritime archaeology.

VIMS student, Laurie Ann Sorabella was one of the five recipients nationally. Sorabella is currently pursuing a master’s degree in marine biology at VIMS. Her research centers on estuarine and coastal habitat restoration and on citizen involvement in restoration initiatives. Her thesis, entitled “Oyster and seagrass interactions in restoration,” has two objectives–first, to define the most desirable oyster strain for use as broodstock in oyster reef restoration, and second, to characterize water quality changes associated with a restored oyster reef and the potential for reefs to create a more habitable environment for seagrasses.

NOAA received more than 500 applications for the five awards. The award carries a stipend of $16,800 per year and up to $12,000 annually for tuition. “We received a large number of applications from a pool of extremely well-qualified students. It is great to see such interest in the first year of the program,” said NOAA acting administrator, Scott Gudes.

VIMS Dean and Director, L. Donelson Wright was made an Honorary Fellow of the University of Wales Bangor at a recent ceremony in Wales. During the presentation, Professor John Simpson, of the University of Wales chronicled Wright’s career contributions to understanding sediment transport processes first in the Mississippi delta and later on the Australian coasts. He has also worked extensively throughout the Mid-Atlantic Bight and Chesapeake Bay as well as on the California coast and in the Yellow River delta in China. Simpson said Wright’s work “produced an enduring account of how sediment transport processes operate, an account which is nowadays widely quoted in Oceanographic and Geologic textbooks. . . . Above all though, he is an outstanding scientist of international repute who is rather unusual in having successfully combined the traditional approaches of geology and physics in studying the workings and effects of sediment transport. In these endeavors, he has produced an impressive list of scientific publications which have strongly influenced the science agenda in his field.”

Wright was instrumental in establishing a collaborative relationship between the University of Wales, Bangor and the College of William and Mary. Supported by the Drapers Company of London, there has been an active exchange of faculty and students between the two institutes for the past several years.

VIMS Named World Reference Laboratory For Shellfish Diseases

(L to R) Drs. Eugene Burreson Nancy Stokes, and Kimberly Reese.

The Virginia Institute of Marine Science has been designated as the only world-wide reference laboratory for two groups of pathogens, (Perkinsus and Haplosporidium), that cause diseases in shellfish all over the world. Dr. E.M. Burreson, VIMS Director of Research and Advisory Service, was named the Reference Expert. The designation was announced by the Office International des Epizooties (OIE), a Paris based international advisory organization on infectious animal diseases. OIE is the official arbiter of the World Trade Organization for issues involving living animal products, including wild or aquacultured marine animals.

Species of Perkinsus and Haplosporidium are responsible for the oyster diseases Dermo and MSX that continue to cause tremendous mortality in oysters in Chesapeake Bay. Native and cultured abalone in Australia and New Zealand are affected by diseases caused by species of Haplosporidium while species of Perkinsus are causing diseases in oysters and clams in Japan, Korea, France and Spain and in cockles in New Zealand. While these diseases have no affect on humans, they can decimate shellfish populations and cause economic havoc in both fisheries and aquaculture industries.

OIE recruited VIMS for reference laboratory status based on the Institute's long history of research on Perkinsus and Haplosporidium and because of current research and international collaboration on diagnosis of diseases caused by these organisms. Molecular diagnostic (DNA) tools for identifying these disease
agents developed at VIMS by Burreson, Dr. Kimberly Reece and Ms. Nancy Stokes, are being used world-wide.

"This is a real honor, in recognition of the significant breakthroughs we have made at VIMS in the diagnosis of these shellfish pathogens that occur world wide", Burreson said. "It will also mean some additional work, but we have a great team in shellfish pathology and we are glad to be of service to the international community."

Reference laboratories serve as an advisory resource for the OIE and as an identification resource for researchers around the world. The labs are also obligated to develop and standardize diagnostic protocols for relevant disease agents and to provide a diagnostic service for researchers around the world. OIE has been responsible for promoting and coordinating research into the surveillance and control of animal diseases throughout the world since 1924.

Serious diseases that should be contained from accidental geographic spread are designated "notifiable" by OIE. This designation can restrict the export of animal products from a country that has the disease. Perkinsus and Haplosporidium are found worldwide and cause notifiable diseases. "We are
already receiving requests and samples from around the world," Burreson said.

To learn more about OIE see their web site at www.oie.int

Local Couple Donates
Marine Vessel To VIMS

Jerry and Kay Ainsworth of J & K Cruises have generously donated a 36’ boat to the Virginia Institute of Marine Science. VIMS scientists will use the Eagle’s Nest for research.

(L to R) Marsha Berman, Harry Berquist
and Carl Hershner aboard the R/V Eagles Nest.

The Eagle’s Nest is a solid boat for a work environment and has already been inspected and Coast Guard certified. Associate Professor of Marine Science, Center for Coastal Resources Management, Carl Hershner is excited about the potential for extended fieldwork the vessel provides. Research and collection in the marshes often leaves field teams far from shore and without a hotel for miles. Travel time alone to and from the sites can take half the day. “We would never be able to raise the resources to purchase a boat like this, this vessel give us the ability to perform more extensive field work in a more efficient manner,” says Hershner.

Hershner and other VIMS scientists plan to use the Eagle’s Nest for shoreline inventory and intensive marsh studies for days at a time. They will be monitoring the movement of fish, sediment and nutrients to the marsh along the Potomac, James, Rappahannock and the Eastern Shore. The vessel can accommodate a team of five researchers for up to 4 to 5 days, this will allow them to continue their work and to stay on sight, significantly decreasing travel time and expenses. Among other things, the Eagle’s Nest will be outfitted with very precise Global Positioning System (GPS) equipment used to survey shoreline conditions along Virginia’s tidal shoreline. A tender will be used to access shallow water areas where shoreline surveys are performed. The shoreline inventory provides accurate and timely data that allows state and local decision makers to improve their ability to manage Virginia’s tidal shoreline.

“We expect the Eagle’s Nest will become a familiar sight for residents along our coastal and tidal shorelines,” says Hershner. “Support from donors, such as The Ainsworth’s, is important for our research and is greatly appreciated.”

View the latest issue of the VIMS news publication (The Crest).

An Introduction to Culturing Oysters
in Virginia

This publication is intended to respond to a growing demand for information on intensive, off-bottom aquaculture of the eastern oyster, Crassostrea virginica, in Virginia and neighboring coastal states.

View pdf file.

Oyster Reef Habitat Restoration Book Available

View Table of Contents and Print Order Form or email wcohen@vims.edu

Chesapeake Bay Oyster Restoration

Scientist from Three States Recommend
Protective Measures for Bay Oysters.

Scientist from Maryland, Virginia and North Carolina met to develop and recommend measures to restore and protect the oyster resource of the Chesapeake Bay.

The Crest, VIMS Quarterly Newspaper pdf (Summer 2001)
The Crest, VIMS Quarterly Newspaper pdf (Summer 2000)
The Crest, VIMS Quarterly Newspaper pdf) (Winter/Spring 2000)
The Crest, VIMS Quarterly Newspaper (pdf) (Summer 99)
The Crest, VIMS Quarterly Newspaper (pdf) (Spring 99)