Water Resources Research Act Program

Details for Project ID 2007NJ141B

Restored oyster reef habitat use by the American Eel (Anquilla rostrata) in the Lower Delaware Bay

Institute: New Jersey
Year Established: 2007 Start Date: 2007-03-01 End Date: 2008-02-29
Total Federal Funds: $5,000 Total Non-Federal Funds: $13,075

Principal Investigators: Jaclyn Taylor, David Bushek

Project Summary: The Eastern Oyster, Crassostrea virginica, is a keystone species of the Delaware Bay that is strongly linked to the history and socio-economic structure of the surrounding communities in New Jersey. Post-World War II technological improvements facilitated a rapid expansion of the oyster fishery until two virulent oyster pathogens (Dermo and MSX) decimated the industry. A sustainable population remains and supports a small but viable fishery. Recently, however, five consecutive years of recruitment failures have nearly forced managers to shut down the fishery to protect the remaining oyster population (Powell et al. 2006). To help correct this problem, several efforts are underway to increase oyster abundance. These efforts are focused on increasing oyster production for the oyster fishery and the socio-economic structure it supports.