The 2022 Chesapeake Oyster Science Symposium will be broadcast live on Zoom, Thursday, September 29th.
The Chesapeake Oyster Alliance has assembled an all-star lineup of oyster experts, academic faculty, and industry practitioners for its 2022 Chesapeake Oyster Science Symposium, to be held Thursday, September 29th on Zoom, broadcast live from the beautiful Tides Inn in Irvington, VA, our generous host and valued COA Partner. The Symposium converges the fields of oyster research, restoration, and aquaculture in the Chesapeake Bay region to promote the widespread recovery of the Bay's oyster population.
The program is designed for all oyster practitioners and those considering entering the fields of oyster restoration, aquaculture, or research. We welcome under- and post- graduate students, non-profit and governmental staff, oyster growers, watermen, business owners and the many others invested in the recovery of the Chesapeake Bay oyster.
Four panel discussions featuring over 20 speakers are intended to offer succinct presentations and ample Q&A around each topic. The Symposium will also feature a round of lightning-talks by young scientists and early career professionals (attendees may self-select to present when they register).
We invite you, your staff, and your colleagues in the Bay region (and beyond—timing for this event allows for nationwide participation) to attend this unique program.
Inaugural 2021 Chesapeake Oyster Science Symposium
The inaugural Chesapeake Oyster Science Symposium held on June 3, 2021 was a virtual gathering of 319 early career professionals, graduate students, researchers, restoration experts, and aquaculturalists from eight countries. The Symposium focused on emerging science and innovative approaches to advance the oyster population of Chesapeake Bay.
The Symposium featured more than 20 speakers across several panels structured around the following themes, a space for graduate students to share their work with the audience, as well as a casual happy hour for networking and camaraderie.
Links to replays of the introduction and various panels are availble on the Chesapeake Bay Foundation's YouTube channel's COSS playlist.
Materials
Panels
Panel 1: The Return of the Bay Oyster—Challenges and Opportunities
A discussion of opportunities for growth in the world of Chesapeake Bay oyster restoration and aquaculture.
Speakers for this panel included Bruce Vogt (National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration [NOAA]), Stephanie Westby (NOAA), Karen Hudson (Virginia Institute of Marine Science), Ward Slacum (Oyster Recovery Partnership), Joe Rieger (Elizabeth River Project).
Panel 2: Leveraging Oyster Ecosystem Services to Accelerate Oyster Recovery
This panel examined the many co-benefits of oyster reefs, including living breakwaters and coastal resilience. Panelists also discussed oyster aquaculture water quality research and nitrogen removal.
Speakers for this panel included Allison Colden (Chesapeake Bay Foundation), Scott Knoche, (Morgan State University/PEARL), Matt Gray (University of Maryland Center for Environmental Science), Lisa Kellogg (Virginia Institute of Marine Science), and Jeff Cornwell (University of Maryland Center for Environmental Science).
Panel 3: Emerging Technologies in Aquaculture and Restoration
New and emerging technologies can improve efficiency and increase success in oyster aquaculture and restoration. Presentations in the panel included solar powered floating aquaculture technology, monitoring reefs using video, sonar, and acoustic equipment, and more.
Speakers for this panel included Jay Lazar (National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration), Brad King (Marine Science Foundation), Steve Pattison (Solar Oysters), Martin Kepinski-Kozaczek (Northrop Grumman), Allison Tracy (Smithsonian Environmental Research Center).
Panel 4: Synthesis Discussion: The Future of Oysters in Chesapeake Bay
Join Andrew Lacatell (The Nature Conservancy), Zachary Greenberg (Pew Charitable Trusts), Andrew Button (Virginia Marine Resources Commission), Angela Sowers (US Army Corps of Engineers), Chris Moore (Chesapeake Bay Foundation), Sean Corson (National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration), and Imani Black (Minorities in Agriculture) as they discuss the future of oyster recovery in Chesapeake Bay.
Lightning Talks
We also hosted a series of lightning talks from a wide range of researchers to further showcase the veritable cornucopia of exciting work being done in the world of oyster restoration and aquaculture. Moderated by Sierra Hildebrandt, (Hampton University).
The Chesapeake Oyster Science Symposium is presented by the partners of the Chesapeake Oyster Alliance and is supported by the Chesapeake Bay Foundation.