ABSTRACTS ______________________________________________________________________________

71st Annual

Shellfish Growers Conference and Tradeshow

Pacific Coast Shellfish Growers Association National Shellfisheries Association Pacific Coast Section

Welches, OR, September 19-21, 2017

BULL KELP EARLY LIFE HISTORY STUDY; DEVELOPING STRATEGIES FOR CANOPY HABITAT RESTORATION ALLEN, Brian Puget Sound Restoration Fund Declines of kelp canopy in Puget Sound and elsewhere in the Salish Sea have substantially reduced the spatial coverage of this habitat form. Interest in restoration is fueled primarily by the desire to recover the community assemblages this biogenic species supports. Puget Sound Restoration Fund and partners have worked to test various enhancement practices for the canopy kelp Nereocystis luetkeana, looking for those that might meet criterions for practical implementation and scalability. To develop this practice, we discovered a need for visibility into the microscopic alternate life history of this kelp in situ. New projects were put on hold until we could gather ecological information on this difficult-to-observe ontogeny. A 12-month experiment was developed to investigate the possible early life histories for enhancement, and the optimum timing of outplants. This work began in January and is ongoing in 2017. I will discuss the rationale for chosen experimental treatments, findings to date, and what restoration practices they implicate. EFFECTS OF OCEAN ACIDIFICATION AND WARMING ON THE PHYSIOLOGY OF PURPLE-HINGE ROCK SCALLOPS: A MULTI-STRESSOR AND MULTI-METHOD APPROACH ALMA1, Lindsay M., Courtney FIAMENGO1, Tyler G. EVANS2, Gordon W. HOLTGRIEVE1, Jacqueline L. PADILLA GAMIÑO1 1 School of Aquatic and Fishery Sciences, University of Washington, Seattle, WA 2 Department of Biological Sciences, California State University East Bay, Hayward, CA With exponential population growth and global urbanization, comes an increase in anthropogenic greenhouse gas emissions such as carbon dioxide. The consequences of elevated CO2 are increased ocean temperatures and acidification, which are expected to affect the physiology of marine organisms. Despite increasing research effort devoted to OA and thermal stress, there remains a gap in understanding the interactive effects these multiple stressors have on invertebrate species, namely: are impacts additive, synergistic, or antagonistic? This project explores these interactive effects of high pCO2 and temperature on the acclimation capabilities of the poorly studied purple-hinge rock scallop (Crassadoma gigantea), allowing us to understand their physiology from the macro to molecular level. Exposure to simultaneous high

pCO2 and temperature significantly affected scallop’s shell integrity, lipid content, fatty acid distribution, and other physiological parameters. Understanding how C. gigantea will be affected by climate change will help us foresee how other shellfish will be impacted, and will be important to forecast future viability of this species in the aquaculture industry. SPATIAL AND TEMPORAL POPULATION VARIABILITY IN INTERTIDAL CLAMS: FINAL RESULTS OF A DECADAL ANALYSIS BARBER1, Julie S., Casey RUFF2, James T. MCARDLE1, Camille SPECK3, Lindy HUNTER1, Douglas ROGERS3, Courtney M. GREINER1 1 Swinomish Indian Tribal Community, Fisheries Department. 11426 Moorage Way, La Conner, WA 2 Skagit River System Cooperative. 11426 Moorage Way, La Conner, WA 3 Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife, 375 Hudson Street, Port Townsend, WA Improving our understanding of spatial and temporal population variability in commercially and ecologically-important species allows for the development of more appropriate management and conservation responses at local, regional, or global scales. Although long-term datasets can be particularly useful for parsing out factors influencing populations, few studies have utilized continuous datasets from nearshore estuarine ecosystems to quantify population synchrony in bivalve mollusks. We used dynamic factor analysis on a clam biomass dataset spanning 28 years and four distinct regions in the southern Salish Sea to determine (1) if native intertidal clam populations exhibit coherence and (2) what environmental covariates influence population trends. Three trends best describe the population dynamics of the examined native clam species (Saxidomus gigantea, Leukoma staminea, & Clinocardium nuttallii). L. staminea exhibited spatial and temporal coherence with a pronounced biomass decline spanning regions and decades. S. gigantea increased in biomass on 7/10 beaches until ~2005-2010 when they began declining (3/10 beaches continually increased in biomass) and C. nuttallii trends varied by beach. Thus spatial coherence was higher in L. staminea than the other two species. The North Pacific Gyre Oscillation was the only environmental covariate (out of eight) that explained additional variability in relation to the model trends. Variability not explained by our model was likely due to more local environmental factors, although our results indicate that large-scale oceanographic factors may play a role in explaining some of the population variability in native clams populations.

EYES IN THE SKY: USING UNMANNED AERIAL VEHICLES (UAVs) TO SUPPORT SHELLFISH AQUACULTURE BLOCH1, Phil and Nyle TAYLOR2

1 Confluence Environmental Company, 146 N. Canal St, Suite 111, Seattle, WA 2 Taylor Shellfish Farms, 130 SE Lynch Rd, Shelton, WA Dramatic technology improvements in Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs) coupled with regulatory clarity on their use has facilitated a proliferation of potential applications using UAVs to collect aerial imagery. These range from mapping sensitive resources like eelgrass to characterizing pre- or post-project conditions. UAVs can be used to monitor short-term events like sediment turbidity associated with harvest events or can create a time series to illustrate changes over time. UAV outputs can provide timely documentation for permits and resolve regulatory issues or provide compelling visual aids to support public outreach and education. Data outputs from UAVs include individual high resolution photos or videos, photomosaics combining multiple photos to provide high resolution imagery over large areas, near infra-red imagery, and 3-dimensional digital surfaces derived from collected imagery. As an emerging technological solution, regulatory guidance on the use of UAV collected data is absent or in its nascent stages. We will illustrate applications of UAV collected data and discuss opportunities to use this technology to manage costs associated with data collection to meet existing requirements. PREY AVAILABILITY OF SPRING MIGRANT RED KNOTS AT GRAYS HARBOR AND WILLAPA BAY: PRELIMINARY FIELD STUDY TO DETERMINE SAMPLE SIZE FOR SUBSEQUENT ROBUST STUDY BOOTH1, Steve and Joseph BUCHANAN2

1 Pacific Shellfish Institute, Olympia, WA 2 Washington Department Fish and Wildlife, Olympia, WA The Red Knot (Calidris canutus roselaari) is a species of conservation concern throughout its range. Grays Harbor and Willapa Bay (Washington) are key sites that appear to support the vast majority of the population during spring migration. Red Knots were formerly more abundant at Willapa Bay than at Grays Harbor, but have becomes far more abundant at the latter in recent years. Bivalves are strongly preferred dietary items of Northern European Red Knots at summer staging areas and Western Red Knots have been observed foraging on at least some of the bivalves in Willapa Bay. Cordgrass is known to reduce or eliminate mudflat foraging habitat

used by shorebirds and it also traps sediments. Our working hypothesis is that residual effects of invasive cordgrass in Willapa Bay may have affected bivalve populations and, by extension, Red Knot density and distribution during spring migration. In April 2017, we collected 2 sediment cores at each of 96 stations at preferred foraging areas at Willapa Bay and Grays Harbor. The bivalves in each core were identified to species and measured. Preliminary results show Macoma balthica was 2.6 times more abundant at Grays Harbor than Willapa whereas M. truncate and Sphenia ovoides were less abundant overall and equally distributed between the bays. We also present the results of a power analysis conducted on the results to determine the number of samples needed for a subsequent, more robust study to examine spatial and temporal patterns of prey availability and prey use. OVERVIEW OF WASHINGTON’S MARINE BIOTOXIN PROGRAM BORCHERT, Jerry and Audrey COYNE Washington Department of Health The Washington Department of Health (DOH) Biotoxin Program protects humans from illness and death caused by eating shellfish contaminated with biotoxins produced by certain kinds of microscopic algae that are naturally present in marine waters. The program encompasses both commercially and recreationally harvested molluscan shellfish, routinely testing for biotoxins known to be present in Washington marine waters, such as Paralytic Shellfish Poison, Amnesic Shellfish Poison, and Diarrhetic Shellfish Poison. When toxins are detected at dangerous levels, DOH closes the harvest area. DOH continues to test the closed area, and when lab results confirm that biotoxin concentrations have dropped again to safe levels, we reopen the area to harvest. WDOH works closely with local health departments, licensed companies, and tribes to ensure the safety of Washington seafood products. WDOH works with multiple partners to understand and predict HAB events and prepare for future HAB problems. MASS MORTALITY EVENTS: A PRACTICAL GUIDE TO BUSINESS SURVIVAL. AUSTRALIAN EXPERIENCE WITH PACIFIC OYSTER MORTALITY SYNDROME BROWN, Matthew L. SED Shellfish Equipment, Tasmania, Australia In December 2015 Southern Tasmania Australia was hit with an outbreak of Pacific Oyster Mortality Syndrome (POMS). A control area was declared for the whole of the state of Tasmania. Farms reported losses ranging from 10% to 90%. The oyster farming community has

had to find ways to recover from the sudden threat to their industry. Several strategies have emerged since the outbreak such as the hatcheries working on genetic resistance, scientists looking at cause and effect and government enforced restrictions on the movement of product from one area to another. However, these do not help farms in the short term with the financial costs which hit in a number of ways. 1) Loss of income, cash flow. 2) restocking costs 3) Lack of replacement stock (the hatcheries were hit as well). One of the main initial issues for farmers is that they may have for example 50% live oysters left in their system, but the extra cost of labor in recovering them (by hand) is prohibitive at a time of lost income and cash flow. In past mass mortality events, a loss of 50% represented a 100% loss to the farmer as the cost of the live recovery was higher than the sale price so all oyster batches effected would be discarded. The problem was how to economically recover the live juvenile and sale oysters from very large numbers of dead without causing more deaths due to the stress normally associated with processing. Oyster batches that are already stressed by disease do not cope well with the added stress of traditional grading systems such as dry barrel and shaker screen systems. (97% of oysters sold in Australia are single seed and sold live to the market). Fortunately, there have been two developments in the Australian industry which make it economic to process large numbers of affected product with low percentages of live product. In 2007 a much gentler grading system was developed by SED Shellfish Equipment for the industry to reduce the general mortality caused by the stress of sizing seed and juvenile oysters (in the single seed system oysters need to be sized 4 -5 times in the life cycle). One hatchery recorded that their mortality rate for seed dropped from around 20% to less than 1.5% for the grading processes by using the water grader system. As the system is fast and largely automatic, farmers discovered that they could leave batches with high percentages of dead in the water to allow the live to continue to grow. They then process the batches using the low stress system and select out the larger live oysters. All the dead and smaller live would simply be returned in their baskets to allow the live to grow further. This process is repeated until only dead oysters remain in the baskets and are discarded. Very little labor is required for this processing so making it economic to keep the affected product. The other development is an electronic "live oyster detection system" being developed for the SED vision grading system. The vision grader automatically processes juvenile to sale sized oysters using computerized imaging at an average rate of 4 per second (up to 8 per second depending on the size and shape). The system requires only one worker to change filled bags, baskets or boxes and automatically separates, sizes, counts and bags.

The detection system will be an additional option to the grader which measures the moisture content of each oyster as it passes near the video camera. The oyster is rejected if the moisture content is too low for the size of the oyster. At the time of writing a first prototype had been tested with excellent results reported. Some modification was required and a second production trial was about to be carried out on a local farm. Once this sensor option is commercially available for the SED vision grader it will be able to reject dead oysters automatically thus negating the need to try removing them manually. Also, if a mortality event does occur and batches of juvenile and sale sized oysters are affected the system can select out dead oysters at no extra cost. Both of these systems allow a farmer to recover product that would otherwise be a loss, thus mitigating risk to the business from mortality events. EVALUATION OF U.S. SHELLFISH AQUACULTURE PERMITTING SYSTEMS: RECOMMENDATIONS TO IMPROVE PERMITTING EFFICIENCIES AND INDUSTRY DEVELOPMENT BUNSICK1, Susan and Tom O’CONNELL2

1 NOAA National Marine Fisheries Service 2 Earth Resource Technology, Inc. In 2016, Earth Resource System, Inc. conducted a comparative study of shellfish aquaculture permitting around the country and provided recommendations for NOAA, the Corps of Engineers, and federal/state partners. The study reviewed 22 federal/state/local shellfish aquaculture permitting systems covering all coastal states of the continental United States. The study found that the ‘stage’ of each state’s shellfish aquaculture development varies significantly. In many instances, problems which exist for one state have already been experienced and addressed by another. The study’s recommendations range from improvements to regulatory systems and permit processes requiring an executive level commitment at the federal and state level to those that can be achieved through improved communication among federal and state shellfish aquaculture coordinators and regulators across the nation. As part of this project, Earth Resource, Inc. also prepared a state-by-state spreadsheet summarizing shellfish permitting systems and industry characterization information for the 22 states in the study. This information can provide a foundation for establishing, sharing, and maintaining a depository of shellfish aquaculture permitting information that would cover all U.S. coastal states. Such a depository would help aquaculture coordinators, regulators, and shellfish growers in one jurisdiction to more quickly identify proven solutions used in other jurisdictions.

AN OVERVIEW OF OSHV-1 AND OSHV-1 µVAR: WITH FOCUS ON IMPLICATIONS OF SPREAD IN THE UNITED STATES BURGE1, Colleen A., N.D. RIVLIN1, K.S. REECE2, C.S. FRIEDMAN3

1 Institute of Marine and Environmental Technology, University of Maryland Baltimore County, Baltimore, MD 2 Virginia Institute of Marine Sciences, College of William & Mary, Gloucester Point, VA 3 School of Aquatic & Fishery Sciences, University of Washington, Seattle, WA The Ostreid herpesvirus 1 (OsHV-1) and its variants, particularly the OsHV-1 µvars are virulent and emerging pathogens known to infect and kill Pacific oysters globally. The goal of this talk is to provide an overview of knowledge on understanding of OsHV-1 variants, including: global distribution of variants, diagnostic tools, OsHV-1 ecology, mechanisms of spread, and management practices employed. OsHV-1 was primarily known as a pathogen of larval and seed oysters, prior to detection of OsHV-1 μVar in 2008. However, OsHV-1 µvars can infect and kill all oyster life stages. Sensitive and specific diagnostic tools exist to diagnose OsHV-1 infection but must be employed as close to the height of mortalities as possible as not all oysters become infected and survivors may have very low levels of infection. Once an area is infected by OsHV-1, the virus can become established, and mortalities recur each year during the summer months following seasonal increases in temperature. In areas where OsHV-1 is established, it is hypothesized that surviving oysters or other species with low-level infections may act as reservoirs for the virus. OsHV-1 µvars are spreading globally, with movement of infected product directly linked to emergence in some locations; in other locations, no direct link to movement of infected product is known and hypothesized methods of spread include ballast water and larval recruitment. To date, management strategies in OsHV-1 affected areas include quarantine, water treatment (for closed systems) selective breeding, and use of immune stimulants. OYSTERS AND EELGRASS AS POTENTIAL PARTNERS IN A HIGH C02 WORLD BURGE1, Colleen A., N.D. RIVLIN1, M.L. GRONER, R. COX2, M. TURNER3, K. VAN ALSTYNE4, S. WYLLIE-ESCEVERRIA5, J. BUCCI6, P. STAUDIGEL7, C.S. FRIEDMAN8

1 Institute of Marine and Environmental Technology, University of Maryland Baltimore County, Baltimore, MD

2 University of Prince Edward Island, Charlottown, PE Canada. 3 Department of Biology, University of Washington, Seattle, WA 4 Shannon Point Marine Center, Western Washington University, Anacortes, WA 5 Center for Marine and Environmental Studies, University of the Virgin Islands, St. Thomas, VI 6 University of New Hampshire, School of Marine Science and Ocean Engineering, Durham, NH 7 Rosenstiel School of Marine and Atmospheric Science, University of Miami, Miami, FL. 8 School of Aquatic & Fishery Sciences, University of Washington, Seattle, WA Climate change is affecting the health of marine organisms. Mitigation strategies are important for limiting future impacts of climate change on health of marine ecosystems and the industries they support. Ocean acidification (OA), or the decrease in seawater pH caused by the dissociation of atmospheric C02 in seawater, is a threat to calcifying organisms such as the Pacific oyster, Crassostrea gigas. In contrast to oysters, seagrasses, such as the eelgrass, Zostera marina may benefit from future OA environments, and can remove dissolved inorganic carbon from OA environments, creating local pH refugia. C. gigas, through filtration, may improve the health of Z. marina by removing pathogens such as the causative agent of eelgrass wasting disease (EGWD), Labyrinthula zosterae (LZ). We examined how co-culture of eelgrass and juvenile oysters affects health and growth under different pC02 exposures. In Phase I, each species was cultured alone or in co-culture at 12 °C across three pC02 conditions, ambient (655.5), medium (1157.5), and high (1605.9). Eelgrass had a higher growth rate and experienced less severe EGWD under high pCO2 conditions. The presence of oysters also reduced the severity of EGWD, potentially by filtering pathogens out of the water column. While the presence of eelgrass decreased pC02 during the day, this reduction was not substantial enough to ameliorate the negative outcomes of high pCO2 on oysters (measured by oyster mass). In Phase II, eelgrass alone or oysters and eelgrass (in co-culture) were held at 15 °C under two pC02 conditions, ambient (488.2) and high (2013); half of the tanks were challenged with LZ. We found a (non-significant) trend where both EGWD severity and LZ load were lower in high pCO2 conditions than in ambient pCO2 conditions. No significant effect of co-culture was detected. Collectively, these results indicate that eelgrass and oysters in co-culture, especially at high pC02 conditions benefits the health of eelgrass.

SURVIVAL OF HATCHERY ORIGIN JUVENILE PINTO ABALONE (Haliotis kamtschatkana) OUTPLANTED TO SPECIES RESTORATION SITES IN THE SAN JUAN ARCHIPELAGO CARSON, Henry S. and M. ULRICH Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife. As detailed in the preceding talk, the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife and project partners have outplanted thousands of hatchery-reared pinto abalone in annual cohorts to ten sites in the San Juan Archipelago since 2009. We measured the "success" of each outplant site by the proportion of total juveniles placed that survived to a reproductive size. In winter 2017 surveys we observed a range of successes, from 0% at the worst site to 5.6% at the best. When nearby individuals are included, this success ranges as high as 7.5%. These percentages do not account for the probability of detection for a given abalone, which available information from tagged abalone suggests is between 20 – 40%. They also do not account for distant emigration from the sites, which has not been quantified. I’ll discuss these results, their implications for on-site reproduction, and their incorporation into an integrated population model describing the survival and growth of outplanted juveniles. I’ll also discuss the future of pinto abalone recovery, including our new strategy to "repeal and replace" low performing sites, optimize outplant efficiency, and scale-up restoration efforts to achieve population-wide recovery. K-12 MARINE SCIENCE EDUCATION FOR THE NEXT GENERATION CHRISTY Aimee and Mary MIDDLETON Pacific Shellfish Institute The Pacific Shellfish Institute has conducted environmental education programs to K-12 students in south Puget Sound for over a decade. In past years, our outreach efforts have reached approximately 600 students per year, but during 2017 PSI reached over 2,500 students during spring alone. This expansion was made possible by several grant awards, including $5,000 from PCSGA’s SLURP funds. This generous funding allowed PSI to reach diverse populations ranging from Kindergartners to inmates at Green Hill and Cedar Creek Correctional Facility. PSI’s programs are unique in that they are developed by research scientists currently working on relevant local issues such as nutrient/bacterial pollution and ocean acidification. Lessons focus on scientific principles, hands on activities, engineering solutions, and stewardship. Come take a peek at how we’re teaching the Next Generation.

SCIENCE THEATER - OCEAN ACIDIFICATION AND EUTROPHICATION TAKE THE STAGE CHRISTY Aimee and Mary MIDDLETON Pacific Shellfish Institute With the expansion of the Pacific Shellfish Institute’s education programming we have developed fun and interactive ways to explore complex environmental issues. What better way to understand ocean acidification than to become part of a molecule and experience firsthand the chemical reactions taking place in our oceans, and how they can impact shellfish development. Or learn about eutrophication by playing an active role in the complex processes that lead to low dissolved oxygen events in marine and freshwater systems. In this presentation, PSI staff will describe a few of their interactive science education programs that get kids moving and learning at the same time! Be prepared to take stage and unleash the actor within you! ELUCIDATING ABALONE WITHERING SYNDROME DISEASE DYNAMICS: LOW PATHOGEN VIABILITY & INFECTIOUS DOSE CROSSON, L.M., M.E. WEAVIL-ABUEG, N. LOTTSFELDT, C.S. FRIEDMAN University of Washington, School of Aquatic and Fishery Sciences Withering syndrome (WS) is a fatal disease that affects both wild and cultured Northeastern Pacific abalones (Haliotis spp.). The causative agent is an obligate intracellular Rickettsiales-like bacterium (RLO) that remains unculturable and limits our understanding of WS disease dynamics. Our study goals were to: (1) determine how long the WS-RLO remains viable in seawater at two different temperatures (14°C and 18°C) and (2) create a protocol for exposing abalone in the laboratory to known concentrations of WS-RLO using infectious dose 50 (ID50) methodology. To determine WS-RLO viability, duplicate 500mL samples of effluent seawater from a California abalone farm were filtered daily for a total of 8 days. DNA and RNA were extracted from all filters and quantified via qPCR as a proxy for viability. To determine WS-RLO ID50, triplicate tanks of 20 uninfected red abalone were dosed for 3 hours in 1L of WS-RLO homogenate (infected post-esophageal tissue and feces suspended in sterile seawater) at four concentrations: 0, 10^3, 10^4, and 10^5 WS-RLO DNA copies/mL. Abalone feces were collected bi-weekly from each tank to monitor WS-RLO DNA loads and abalone post-esophageal tissues were sampled twice post-dosing (n=10/tank) to determine an ID50. Results

from our viability experiment indicated WS-RLO DNA loads in seawater were highest on day 2 at both 14°C and 18°C then rapidly declined below the qPCR assay’s limit of detection by days 5 and 4, respectively. WS-RLO cDNA loads were 30-fold lower than WS-RLO DNA loads indicating that of the total WS-RLO DNA present, only a small proportion was potentially viable. Results from our ID50 experiment concluded that only 2.2-3.2 x 10^3 WS-RLO DNA copies/mL are required to generate a 50% infection prevalence. These findings provide critical information on WS-RLO transmission dynamics including concerns over disease spillover and spillback between wild and cultured abalones and can aid management decisions for the successful protection and restoration of threatened and endangered abalone species. SHELLFISH COMMUNITY PATTERNS IN THE NATIVE AND NON-NATIVE EELGRASS HABITATS OF NETARTS BAY, OREGON, USA. D’ANDREA, Anthony F. and Elizabeth A. PEROTTI Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife The non-native eelgrass Zostera japonica was introduced in the 1930s to the Pacific Northwest and has since become well established in many Oregon estuaries. Several of these estuaries have expansive native Zostera marina beds and support communities of ecologically, recreationally, and commercially important shellfish. However, there is limited information about the effects of Z. japonica expansion on these communities. In 2013-2014, the Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife conducted a comprehensive shellfish community and estuarine habitat survey of Netarts Bay. The survey used a whole estuary randomized approach stratified by area of the estuary and tide level on the intertidal. There were four major bed types identified in the bay: Unvegetated (UV), Z. marina only (ZM), Z. japonica only (ZJ), and mixed eelgrass beds (MX). Multivariate approaches (PERMANOVA, MDS, and Canonical Analysis of Principle Components [CAP]) were used to investigate patterns in shellfish community structure and test whether distinct communities could be detected among the bed types. There was evidence for differences in community structure between sites with eelgrass (ZM, ZJ, and MX) relative to UV sites. Among the eelgrass bed types, there was a transition in community composition from ZM to MX to ZJ bed types. We tested for distinct communities among these bed types using CAP. The CAP model explained more than 75% of the variability in community structure. This variability was due to species compositional changes and characteristic species found within the different bed types. The results of this study support the assertion that the expansion of Z. japonica in Netarts

Bay has led to shifts in shellfish communities and improves our understanding of the ecological effects of this non-native eelgrass in Oregon estuaries. CORRELATIONS AMONG LARVAL, SPAT AND FIELD PERFORMANCE TRAITS OF THE PACIFIC OYSTER, Crassostrea gigas. DE MELO1, Claudio, Chris LANGDON2*, Blaine SCHOOLFIELD2, Evan DURLAND2 1Lab of Marine Mollusks, Federal University of Santa Catarina, Florianópolis, Brazil 2Hatfield Marine Science Center, Oregon State University, Newport, OR 97365 The Molluscan Broodstock Program (MBP) has focused on improving field traits (yield, survival and individual weight at harvest) of the Pacific oyster over six generations of selection. In the present study, we estimate correlations and heritabilities for hatchery, nursery and field traits of cohort 26 in the 6th MBP generation. This cohort was produced by rearing separate families (n=63) from larval to the early juvenile (spat) stage at Oregon State University’s hatchery/nursery at the Hatfield Marine Science Center (HMSC) in Newport, Oregon, USA, and then planting the cohort at two sites: Willapa Bay, WA and Oyster Bay, Puget Sound, WA. Heritability estimates for field traits after ~1 year of plant-out at farm sites ranged from 0.33 to 0.53 for individual weight and yield, respectively. Heritability estimates for spat (128 days old) weight at planting and for larval (18 days old) shell length were 0.40 and 0.41, respectively. Genetic correlations among field traits were medium-to-high, ranging from 0.60 (survival and individual weight) to 0.90 (yield and individual weight). Genetic correlations between spat weight at planting and field traits were moderate, ranging from 0.45 (spat weight and individual weight) to 0.63 (spat weight and survival). In contrast, correlations between larval shell length and both spat weight and field traits were not statistically significantly different from zero. In summary, moderate heritability values suggest that selection for improved larval and spat growth (weight at planting) may be effective. Furthermore, positive medium values for genetic correlations between spat weight and field traits suggest that gains can be achieved for field traits by selection for spat growth, indicating the importance of nursery spat production in selecting for field traits. In contrast, null correlations between larval shell length and other traits (spat weight and on-farm yield, survival, individual weight), suggest that selection for larval growth will not result in gains in these traits. REGULATION OF PLASTIC SHELLFISH GEAR DENIKE, Jesse

Plauché & Carr LLP, Seattle, WA Pacific Coast shellfish farmers use a variety of plastic gear for cultivating shellfish. Concerns have recently been raised regarding the use of plastic shellfish gear and appropriate management practices. These concerns have been raised and addressed in various venues, including appeals of permits authorizing the use of plastics, development of shoreline management plans, and general or programmatic approvals for cultivating shellfish. This presentation will discuss the specific issues that have recently been raised in challenges to the use of plastic shellfish gear, along with the analysis and outcomes of such challenges. The presentation will include discussion of common regulatory programs and permit conditions associated with the use of plastic gear. LESSONS ON KELP FARMING FROM BRITISH COLUMBIA DRUEHL, Louis Canadian Kelp, that pioneered kelp farming out side of Asia in 1980, advises on kelp cultivation for commercial and remediation projects. Ongoing research includes new approaches to seed production, physiological manipulation of kelp chemical composition, evaluation of new kelp species for farming, and development of superior kelp strains through genetic selection. DO FISH RECOGNIZE SHELLFISH AQUACULTURE AND EELGRASS AS INTERTIDAL ESTUARINE LANDSCAPE FEATURES AND CAN WE TELL? DUMBAULD1, Brett R., Kelly MUETHING2, Larissa CLARKE2, Bobbi HUDSON3

1USDA-ARS, Hatfield Marine Science Center, Newport, OR 2CEOAS, Oregon State University, Corvallis, OR 3Pacific Shellfish Institute, Olympia, WA Pacific oyster aquaculture (Crassostrea gigas) and native seagrass (eelgrass, Zostera marina L.) form important habitats in US Pacific Northwest estuaries. Understanding the role of these habitats is important, since eelgrass is protected under both federal and state statutes and the shellfish aquaculture industry is currently constrained by regulations concerning impacts of culture activities to eelgrass. These regulations have in part influenced industry decisions to use off-bottom culture structures like longlines, but do not consider aquaculture itself as habitat. While both habitats serve multiple functions, we implemented studies to examine use of both habitats by fish and crab in several estuaries. Underwater digital video surveys and traps were used to quantify fish and crab abundance and behavior in oyster aquaculture, eelgrass beds, and the edge between these structured habitats as landscape features. We also deployed standardized

predation tethering units (PTUs) in each of these habitats to examine predation risk and/or refuge value provided by these habitats. Although results differed by survey method, shiner perch (Cymatogaster aggregata) and Pacific staghorn sculpin (Leptocottus armatus) were the most common fish observed among habitats in all estuaries. Shiner perch were more frequently sighted in video of longline aquaculture than eelgrass, while Pacific staghorn sculpin were more frequently sighted along the edge than in either oyster aquaculture or eelgrass. Predation assays suggested that predation pressure was highest in Tillamook Bay and lowest in Samish Bay where an apparent edge effect is consistent with higher abundance of Pacific staghorn sculpins. Our results suggest that in addition to the mere presence of structure in these largely soft sediment systems, the form of that structure also influences fish and crab use. COMPARING THE EFFECTS OF DOMESTICATION AND ACIDIFIED SEAWATER ON CHANGES IN THE GENETIC COMPOSITION OF LARVAL PACIFIC OYSTERS (Crassostrea gigas) DURLAND, Evan, Eli MEYER, Pierre DE WIT, Chris LANGDON Oregon Stat University Negative impacts of acidified seawater on oyster larvae have been well documented in the past decade and several recent studies have shown that physiological responses of these larvae to elevated pCO2 conditions are dependent on genotype. In 2015 trials were conducted in static-culture, laboratory and commercial hatchery settings to compare phenotypic and genetic changes in populations of selectively bred Pacific oyster (Crassostrea gigas) larvae with those of larvae derived from ‘wild’ broodstock under both ambient and elevated pCO2 conditions. We found that larvae from selected lines consistently grew and survived significantly better than "wild" larvae when reared in either high or ambient pCO2 conditions. In order to investigate genetic changes in these larval groups under ambient and elevated pCO2 conditions, 2bRAD libraries were created from genomic DNA of larval samples collected during the 2015 trial and sequenced on an Illumina HiSeq 2500. Approximately 15,000 single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) were identified and used to compare changes in the genetic composition of larval pools derived from selected and wild broodstock groups reared in ambient and high pCO2 conditions. Initial results indicate that changes in the genetic composition of larval populations from wild broodstock were more pronounced than of those in selected groups and that SNPs which change in frequency due to elevated seawater pCO2 were largely discrete between these two larval groups. These results indicate both a distinct ‘domestication response’

for oyster larvae reared in laboratory conditions and demonstrate genetic variability in resistance of larval oysters to high pCO2 seawater conditions. PUTTING IT ALL TOGETHER: A META-ANALYSIS OF SHELLFISH AQUACULTURE - EELGRASS INTERACTIONS FERRISS1, Bridget, Tish CONWAY-CRANOS2, Beth SANDERSON1, Laura HOBERECHT1 1NOAA National Marine Fisheries Service 2Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife Shellfish aquaculture is a rapidly growing, global industry that alters nearshore habitat with unclear implications for the surrounding marine community. Changes in pelagic–benthic coupling, competition for space, prey concentration, predator refuge, and altered habitat structure may change the viability and behavior of species and influence interspecific interactions. Understanding these trends is challenged by limited regionally –specific studies, and difficulties in comparing global studies due to variation in experimental design, environmental conditions, and magnitude of responses. A global, meta-analysis on shellfish aquaculture-eelgrass interactions overcomes these limitations to summarize trends in the functional role of aquaculture-modified habitat and its interaction with the nearshore environment. Preliminary results show the interaction between eelgrass and aquaculture can vary by aquaculture gear type, harvest method, and eelgrass metrics. Results from this study will support the sustainable management of the expanding aquaculture industry. PERSISTENT TRANS-GENERATIONAL EFFECTS OF OCEAN ACIDIFICATION ON PACIFIC OYSTER Crassostrea gigas GILLON1, Daniel, Jonathan DAVIS2, Dacey MERCER3, Brett DUMBAULD3, Benoit EUDELINE4, Carolyn FRIEDMAN1 1University of Washington 2Baywater, Inc. 3Oregon State University 4Taylor Shellfish, Inc. Ocean acidification (OA) is projected to negatively impact a wide range of marine species and ecosystems, with severe implications for coastal economies and shellfish aquaculture in the

Northeast Pacific. Recent evidence, however, suggests that shellfish may be capable of rapidly responding to adverse changes in seawater carbonate chemistry through transgenerational acclimation following exposure to OA. We sought to determine whether such potential exists in Pacific oyster (Crassostrea gigas). In 2013, our lab group exposed pedigreed oyster broodstock (G0) to OA conditions (high pCO2, low ΩA) during reproductive conditioning to create a "transgenerational line". These oysters were then mated in a diallel cross, and replicate groups of offspring reared under OA and control conditions. Contrary to expectations, transgenerational G1 larvae and juveniles exhibited reduced growth and survival under OA conditions as compared to G1 offspring from the control group. However, under ambient conditions, transgenerational G1 offspring outperformed offspring from the control group through the larval and nursery stage, and up to 9.5 months following field deployment. These advantages are less apparent after 21 months in the field, likely due to environmental stochasticity. Overall, our results point to the presence of a compensatory mechanism following OA exposure in oysters that warrants further investigation. PRIMED FOR SUCCESS: OYSTER PARENTS TREATED WITH POLY(I:C) PRODUCE OFFSPRING WITH ENHANCED PROTECTION AGAINST OSHV-1 INFECTION GREEN, Timothy, Maxime LAFONT, David RAFTOS The Pacific oyster (Crassostrea gigas) is farmed globally. Ostreid herpesvirus (OsHV-1) causes severe mortalities of farmed C. gigas. Management of OsHV-1 has proven difficult. Oysters treated with poly(I:C) exhibit enhanced protection (EP) against OsHV-1. This chemical treatment is highly effective, but it is not feasible to treat every oyster on a farm. To circumvent this practical limitation, previous studies on arthropods have suggested that EP can be transferred from parents to their offspring (trans-generational EP, TGEP). This suggests that the treatment of relatively few parents could be used to produce large numbers of offspring with TGEP. Here, we investigated TGEP in oysters to test whether it might be used as a cost effective management tool to control OsHV-1. We found that offspring (D-veliger larvae) produced from poly(I:C)-treated parents had double the chance of surviving exposure to OsHV-1 compared to controls. Poly(I:C) treatment had no effect on the survival of oyster parents. Hence, the enhanced immunity of their offspring could not be explained by genetic selection, and instead may reflect epigenetic reprogramming or maternal provisioning.

WATER TEMPERATURE INFLUENCES THE OYSTER’S BACTERIAL COMMUNITY: IMPLICATIONS FOR HOST SURVIVAL AND IMMUNITY GREEN, Timothy J. Many countries have reported mortality events of naturalised and cultured populations of the Pacific oyster, Crassostrea gigas. Mortality usually occurs during summer when seawater temperatures are elevated. Questions have arisen concerning the involvement of the host’s microbiome in these mortality events. Changes in oyster survival and bacterial community were investigated in response to rapidly rising seawater temperatures. In the current study, a change in seawater temperature from 20C to 25C caused significant mortality of C. gigas spat. However, mortality did not occur at 25C if oysters were treated with antibiotics (Penicillin-Streptomycin), indicating the oyster’s bacterial community is a contributing factor to the mortality event. OsHV-1 DNA was not detected by qPCR. Amplicon sequencing revealed spat at 25C had increased abundance of bacteria belonging to the genus of Pseudoalteromonas and Vibrio. The role of these bacteria in mortality events will be discussed. INCORPORATING PRODUCTION-BASED RISK INTO WASHINGTON’S Vp CONTROL NOROVIRUS OUTBREAKS IN WASHINGTON SHELLFISH HARD, Clara, Scott BERBELLS, Laura JOHNSON Washington Department of Health Between January to April 2017, the Washington State Department of Health received reports of over 150 norovirus illnesses potentially due to the consumption of Washington oysters. Six of the individuals were lab-confirmed cases while the rest of the cases were epidemiologically-linked. A total of 124 of those illnesses, among fifteen illness clusters, led to six growing area closures and recalls. Norovirus is a highly contagious respiratory infection that primarily causes diarrhea and vomiting. While the majority of illnesses were traced back to oysters harvested from Hammersley Inlet growing area, both Samish Bay and Bay Center growing areas were also implicated in outbreaks. More than 24,000 dozen oysters and 43,000 pounds of clams were recalled in March and April due to these outbreaks. Reflecting on this past year and thinking towards the future: What do we know about the source of norovirus in oysters? What are we doing to find out more? What lessons learned can be applied to prevent future illnesses? ASSESSING HAB THREATS TO PUGET SOUND SHELLFISH HARVESTING HARRINGTON, Neil

Jamestown S’Klallam Tribe The Jamestown S’Klallam Tribe has formed partnerships with NOAA, WA Seagrant, Washington Department of Health and the Sitka Tribe (Alaska), to investigate, monitor and better understand harmful algal blooms. These partnerships have leveraged each partner’s unique strengths and allowed the Tribe to effectively manage shellfish harvests. Collaboration on paralytic, amnesiac and diarrhetic shellfish poisoning projects has given researchers access to more complete datasets leading to better management at the State and Federal level. We are currently involved in a collaborative project to determine it azaspiracid shellfish poisoning is a threat to shellfish harvest in Washington State BOOM-AND-BUST PRODUCTION CYCLES THREATEN AQUACULTURE SUSTAINABILITY AND GLOBAL SEAFOOD SECURITY HEDGECOCK1, Dennis, W.W. YOU2

1Department of Biological Sciences, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA 2State Key Lab of Marine Environmental Science, Xiamen University, Xiamen, China Aquaculture has grown exponentially over the last six decades, providing 76.6 million metric tons of aquatic animal production globally in 2015 (FAO, 2017). Analysis of global aquaculture production data, by country and species, for the 66-year interval from 1950 to 2015, reveals, however, that 52% of fish stocks, 63% of mollusc stocks, and 71% of crustacean stocks have become depleted (< 50% of peak production), collapsed (< 10% of peak production), or commercially extinct (zero production following a peak). Aquaculture stocks commonly exhibit a "boom-and-bust" production cycle, defined as a rapid increase to peak production, over a median of 4 years for stocks that go extinct, followed by a decrease in production, over a median of 19 years for collapsed stocks and 12 years for extinct stocks, regardless of taxonomic group. Collapses in production, unnoticed to date, correlate with and may be responsible for the slowing in the growth of animal aquaculture over the past decade. Most stocks have only reached peak production recently and many of these appear to be at risk of extinction. Case studies of commercially important mollusc and marine shrimp stocks show how data aggregation has obscured sequential boom-and-bust production cycles. While diseases and other social, economic or environmental factors are proximal causes of stock collapse, mismanagement of genetic resources may be an ultimate cause. Depletion of living marine resources poses a threat to the self-sustainability of aquaculture and, therefore, to global food security. Urgent action is needed to identify causes of and solutions to these dire trends.

MONITORING FOR OCEAN ACIDIFICATION NEAR COASTAL VILLAGES IN SOUTH-CENTRAL ALASKA; BUILDING CAPACITY & ASSESSING VULNERABILTY HETRICK1, Jeff, Wiley EVANS2, Amanda KELLY3, 1Alutiiq Pride Shellfish Hatchery, Seward, AK 2Hakai Institute, Campbell River, BC 3University of Alaska Fairbanks, AK The detection of low levels aragonite saturation levels in Resurrection Bay near Seward initiated a region wide sampling effort with villages and research partners in south-central Alaska. One year of results indicate the levels are consistent throughout the area with slight differences between near shore and off shore sampling sites and indicate seasonal variability. In addition, juvenile butter clams, littleneck clams and cockles were exposed to ambient and future predicted conditions of ocean acidification to determine their physiological response. Preliminary results will be presented. AT THE WHIM OF THE TIDES: LARVAL EXCHANGE AMONG OLYMPIA OYSTER (Ostrea lurida) IN PUGET SOUND, WA HINTZ1, Megan, Bonnie BECKER2, Henry CARSON3, Brian RUSK4, Marco HACTH4, Brian ALLEN5, Brent VADOPALAS1, Steven ROBERTS1 1University of Washington (UW) School of Aquatic and Fishery Sciences, Seattle, WA 2UW Tacoma School of Interdisciplinary Arts & Sciences, Tacoma, WA 3Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife, Olympia, WA 4Western Washington University, Bellingham, WA 5Puget Sound Restoration Fund, Bainbridge Island, WA Olympia oysters (Ostrea lurida), a species of concern in Washington State, have failed to fully recover after both over exploitation and environmental degradation. Although state agencies, tribal nations, and environmental groups in Washington have made it a priority to restore O. lurida because they are the only native oyster on the west coast of North America and provide key habitat and ecosystem services to the Puget Sound, our understanding of O. lurida larval dispersal patterns remains limited. The early stages of the Olympia oyster play a key role in their restoration because it is the only stage where they can disperse to other populations. Reproduction was monitored at two locations in Puget Sound, Dyes Inlet in central sound and Fidalgo Bay in north sound, during summer of 2015. Three stages of reproduction were

monitored; reproductive adults, planktonic larvae, and recruitment, and peaks were observed in all reproductive stages and can be tracked through time. Brooded Olympia oyster larvae incorporate trace elements present in estuarine waters into their shell, creating a chemical "signature" of their natal site before release and dispersal. With the use of laser ablation inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (LA-ICP-MS), the provenance signatures of larvae and recruits can be compared, and potentially matched, to signatures of source populations. The results of this study will determine the extent to which these populations self-seed, seed other sites, and exchange larvae with other populations and establish the utility and geographic resolution of elemental signatures for tracking larvae in Puget Sound. This information will directly influence management efforts to restore O. lurida; resource managers will be able to identify both source populations of larvae and sink subpopulations and determine the most effective restoration approach. WASHINGTON EELGRASS/SHELLFISH AQUACULTURE WORKSHOP SUMMARY HOBERECHT, Laura, Beth SANDERSON, Bridget FERRISS NOAA National Marine Fisheries Service The intent of the workshop was to bring together scientific experts, regulators, tribes, and the regulated community to increase understanding about eelgrass and shellfish aquaculture in Washington, determine where and why inconsistencies in eelgrass management related to shellfish aquaculture exist, and develop a path forward for addressing inconsistencies in the state. MICROPLASTIC DEBRIS IN PACIFIC COAST SHELLFISH AND SHELLFISH HABITAT HOULE, Katie Pacific Shellfish Institute Of all forms of marine debris, microplastics (particles <5mm) are ubiquitous and easily assimilated by aquatic organisms. It is believed that filter feeding organisms, such as bivalve shellfish, are at the greatest risk and most likely to come into contact with and ingest microplastic (MP) debris. Currently, a major obstacle to assessing ecological risk for commercial and recreational shellfish is the absence of environmentally relevant field data for the tiniest MP particles (<100 mm). Laboratory studies offer insights of potential biological impacts to shellfish exposed to MP debris, however particles and densities tested do not reflect concentrations found in the environment. I will present the most current scientific information regarding microplastic

debris and shellfish, highlighting regional studies and future research proposed by PSI and UW Center for Urban Waters. AQUACULTURE & EELGRASS, DOES HABITAT SUITABILITY DIFFER FOR WEST COAST SPECIES OF INTEREST? HUDSON, Bobbi, Daniel CHENEY, Brett DUMBAULD, Jeff CORDELL, Jason TOFT, Fiona TOMAS NASH, Katie HOULE TBD THE REPRODUCTIVE CYCLE OF CULTURED PURPLE HINGED ROCK SCALLOP, Crassadoma gigantea, IN DABOB BAY WASHINGTON JACKSON1,2, Molly, Natalie LOWELL, Brent VADOPALAS, Lorenz HAUSER, 1Taylor Shellfish Farms 2University of Washington Currently under consideration for commercial aquaculture production, the purple hinged rock scallop Crassadoma gigantea is endemic to the western Pacific Coast. One of the challenges facing native species aquaculture is identifying potential genetic impacts on wild populations. Gene flow between cultured and wild populations can have negative effects on wild genetic diversity. Because estimates of gene flow are largely based on the capacity for gamete exchange among individuals, understanding the age at maturation is necessary to identify when gene flow from cultured stocks could first occur. Cultured juvenile scallops of known age were deployed to Dabob Bay, Washington, in September 2015 and sampled monthly to monitor reproductive development and growth over two years. Results indicate that in Dabob Bay, cultured scallops begin maturing during year one. If cultured scallops are not harvested prior to spawning age interbreeding could occur directly via cross-fertilization of cultured and wild, or indirectly if progeny of cultured scallops reproduce with wild individuals. USING NOAA OBSERVATIONAL AND MODELING TOOLS TO ADDRESS VIBRIO RISK JACOBS, John, Robert DANIELS, Rohinee PARANJPYE, Clara HARD, Laura JOHNSON The potential presence of Vibrio parahaemolyticus in oysters has been a persistent issue for producers and consumers of raw oysters in the United States, and necessarily, much effort has been directed towards strategies for risk reduction. To date, most states use time and temperature

controls to minimize post - harvest growth, and seasonal temperature averages to initiate and end control strategies. In recent years, NOAA has embarked on an effort to work with the States and industry to apply NOAA forecast modeling and observational assets to better inform harvest and control strategies. In this presentation, we will demonstrate: 1) how hydrodynamic models are being used to provide spatially explicit predictions of Vp concentration in oysters, 2) the use of weather models to provide scaled projections of Vp growth under different control strategies, and 3) modeling efforts underway in the Pacific Northwest to predict Vp levels in intertidal oysters. These products are developed from stakeholder workshops and requests, and are distributed via the web https://products.coastalscience.noaa.gov/vibrioforecast/. HAB MONITORING AND RESEARCH IN SOUTHEAST ALASKA JAMROS, Michael Sitka Tribe of Alaska The Sitka Tribe of Alaska (STA), founder of Southeast Alaska Tribal Ocean Research (SEATOR), has a vested interest in protecting traditional natural resources as well as the health of the local community. SEATOR was formed in September 2013 to unify 15 southeast Alaska tribes in monitoring harmful algal bloom (HAB) events that pose a human health risk to subsistence and commercial shellfish harvesters. Each Tribal partner collects weekly samples phytoplankton and shellfish samples at key community harvest sites. Shellfish samples are sent to the Sitka Tribe of Alaska Environmental Research Laboratory (STAERL) for toxin analysis. STAERL uses the receptor binding assay (AOAC Method 2011.27) for measuring saxitoxins . All samples are processed and analyzed within a 48 hour period and results are posted to the Southeast Alaska Tribal Ocean Research webpage (seator.org/data). STAERL was developed to support subsistence harvest efforts but is also available to provide services to researchers and the commercial shellfish industry. STA is also working closely with the AK Mariculture Task Force to provide insight on ways the state of Alaska can increase shellfish aquaculture in Alaska. UNDERSTANDING AND PLANNING FOR LOCAL/REGIONAL OYSTER ECONOMIES KELMENSON1, Sophie, Bobbi HUDSON2 1University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill 2Pacific Shellfish Institute TBD

SOUNDTOXINS: A PUGET SOUND HAB MONITORING PARTNERSHIP KING Teri Washington Sea Grant SoundToxins is a diverse partnership of aquaculture businesses, federal, tribal, and local governments, education institutions, and Puget Sound residents that monitor for harmful algae in Puget Sound, managed by NOAA’s Northwest Fisheries Science Center and Washington Sea Grant. The intensively trained partners provide early warning of harmful algal bloom (HAB) events by evaluating water samples gathered weekly from 35 stations throughout Puget Sound looking specifically for Dinophysis, Alexandrium, Pseudo-nitschia and Azadinium and alerting health and natural resource agencies of their presence. The online database and mapping allows for near-real time viewing of data entered by SoundToxins partners and it is reviewed daily by Sea Grant staff for quality and accuracy. Participants have partnered on several research projects providing samples, data and endorsement of scientist and their projects. The SoundToxins program has helped to minimize the risks to human health and reducing the economic losses to Puget Sound fisheries since its formation in 2006. DROUGHTS, BLOOMS, WARM BLOBS, AND OTHER ANOMALIES IN THE EASTERN PACIFIC: LESSONS LEARNED KUDELA, Raphael University of California Santa Cruz The US west coast has been experiencing several years of anomalous conditions including a multi-year drought, warm anomalies in 2014 and 2015, the emergence of freshwater HABs as a serious and growing threat and new HAB organisms such as Akashiwo sanguinea and Gonyaulax spinifera, massive blooms of Pseudo-nitzschia 2015-2016, and continued issues with Dinophysis and Alexandrium. These issues have caused many to re-evaluate the west coast as an upwelling dominated system that is largely driven by bottom-up factors, and to explore the role of basin-scale oscillations and climate change, anthropogenic nutrient inputs, and expansion of HAB organisms through natural and human-mediated causes. Against this background we have also seen the development and maturation of ocean observing networks, increased use of technology for HAB research and management, and maturation of HAB prediction systems. BRIDGING THE GAP BETWEEN INDUSTRY AND EDUCATION KURTZ Kathryn

Pacific Education Institute The Pacific Education Institute works with industry and community organizations to embed natural resource education into the curriculum of schools and school districts to help ensure a scientifically literate citizenry making balanced decisions for a thriving future. Learn about models for working with your local education system to see the possibilities of improving education through locally relevant, integrated, community-based education for preK-12 students and community partners. What is the role shellfish related companies can play to support this important work? MOLECULAR CHARACTERIZATION OF A HYPERPARASITE BACTERIOPHAGE AND ITS PATHOGENIC HOST, Candidatus Xenohaliotis californiensis LANGEVIN1,2*, Stanley A., Collin J. CLOSEK1,3,4*, Colleen A. BURGE3, Samuel J. WHITE1, Lisa M. CROSSON1, Owen D. SOLBERG2, Carolyn S. FRIEDMAN1 1School of Aquatic and Fishery Sciences, University of Washington, Seattle, WA 2Department of Systems Biology, Sandia National Laboratories, Livermore, CA 3Institute of Marine and Environmental Technology, University of Maryland, Baltimore County, MD 4Current Affiliation: Center for Ocean Solutions & Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Stanford University, Stanford, CA We characterized a novel bacteriophage associated with "Candidatus Xenohaliotis californiensis", the etiological bacterial agent of withering syndrome (WS) that has caused severe losses in black abalone (Haliotis cracherodii) populations. Experimental observations suggest black abalone co-infected with C.X. californiensis and the novel phage experienced reduced disease and mortality rates. By implementing classical pathological and metagenomic techniques, we characterized the phage morphology, annotated the 37.5 kilobase double-stranded DNA phage genome, evaluated host-phage genome replication kinetics, and inferred its relationship to P22-like phages within the Podoviridae family. The phage possesses a short tail on its circular to hexagonal capsid and host lysis is rare. Functional analysis revealed that the phage genome lacks the genes required for cell entry (portal protein), genome propagation (DNA/RNA polymerases), genome integration (integrase), lytic activity (holin and endolysin), and virion formation (major capsid). De novo assembly generated a 0.9Mb C.X. californiensis partial genome that consisted of 948 predicted genes classified by the BaSYS annotation pipeline, including genes involved in cell division/replication, metabolic pathways, the stress

response, and prophage proteins. The prophage genes found in the C.X. californiensis genome were homologs to the major capsid protein and the portal protein, critical core phage genes missing from the characterized phage genome. Our results indicate the phage genome is partially maintained within C.X. californiensis genome as a cryptic prophage and as a linear non-integrating pseudolysogen within the host’s cytosol. We propose the phage be named Xenohaliotis phage attenuatum (attenuatum). Furthermore, we established molecular tools to monitor the impact of phage abundance on abalone populations infected with C.X. californiensis and created a genetic framework to facilitate phage-based therapies for abalone aquaculture. POPULATION GENETICS OF NATIVE SHELLFISH AQUACULTURE SPECIES AND POTENTIAL GENETIC RISKS OF CULTIVATION LOWELL, Natalie, Brent VADOPALAS, Lorenz HAUSER University of Washington, School of Aquatic and Fishery Sciences, Seattle, WA Native shellfish aquaculture has many benefits, but interbreeding of hatchery and wild conspecifics may pose genetic risks to wild populations. The type and magnitude of these risks depends in part on the genetic population structure of native shellfish species. Early studies suggest that shellfish populations generally exist in panmixia thus minimizing some of the genetic risks associated with their cultivation. More recent population structure studies provide higher resolution and make use of both neutral and non-neutral molecular markers, and suggest some shellfish can exhibit population structure and even local adaptation. Here, we present preliminary results on genetic differentiation among populations of Crassadoma gigantea (the purple-hinged rock scallop) and Parastichopus californicus (the giant California sea cucumber), two native species that are currently being developed for production in Puget Sound. We will use this new information to build a genetic risk model to quantify risk under multiple management scenarios and provide decision support to resource managers and other stakeholders. IMPROVING GENETIC MANAGEMENT OF FARMED NATIVE SHELLFISH: HELP GUIDE THE PROCESS LOWELL1, Natalie, Laura HOBERECHT2, Brent VADOPALAS1, Lorenz HAUSER1 1University of Washington, School of Aquatic and Fishery Sciences, Seattle, WA 2NOAA National Marine Fisheries Service Native shellfish aquaculture has many benefits but may pose genetic risks to wild populations. The level of risk is poorly understood for shellfish and management may need to be tailored to

protect the wild natural resources that support the shellfish aquaculture industry. We are planning to help fill this knowledge gap by building a genetic risk assessment model to compare risks of different management scenarios. We are seeking hatchery staff and grower input to provide hatchery and farm practice information (e.g., typical broodstock capacity, larval mortality, percent survival of seed to product on the farm, etc.) for model construction and to create realistic management scenarios for testing. In a one-hour workshop, we will (1) briefly summarize the genetic risks and our model plans, (2) hold group interviews to better understand the management problem, potential management scenarios, and possible incentives, and (3) administer a brief survey on hatchery and farm practices. This is an opportunity for key stakeholders to steer the development and direction of the risk assessment, a necessary step in ensuring its utility. WHAT CAUSES PREDICTABLE AND UNPREDICTABLE VARIATION OF THE TIDE, AND HOW WILL IT CHANGE IN THE FUTURE? MACCREADY, Parker University of Washington School of Oceanography The timing and extent of low tide can be crucial for shellfish operations, and we have excellent methods for predicting tides. However, the observed tide may be a foot or more different from predictions, and this difference is caused by a combination of weather and ocean phenomena. In addition, the annual cycle of tides has remarkable patterns which can be understood in terms of the forcing by sun and moon. There are also gradual variations of this forcing that can cause the lower low water in one year to be up to 2 feet lower than it is a decade earlier or later. On top of all these, the slow progression of sea level rise must be accounted for. In this talk I will explain all these processes and give examples from the Pacific Northwest coast and Puget Sound. BACTERIOPHAGES SIGNIFICANTLY REDUCE LARVAL OYSTER MORTALITY CAUSED BY Vibrio coralliilyticus MADISON1, David, Alexander SULAKVELIDZE2, Nitzan SOFFER2, Manrong LI2, Chris LANGDON1, Claudia HASE1, Gary RICHARDS3, Michael WATSON3 1Oregon State University 2Intralytix 3USDA

Vibrio coralliilyticus (Vcor) is a bacterium that has plagued Pacific North West (PNW) hatcheries, causing mortalities of larval Pacific oysters Crassostrea gigas. Outbreaks can dramatically reduce seed availability for farmers. In response, we are studying an environmentally-friendly method of controlling Vcor outbreaks using bacteriophages (phages). Phages are viruses that attack and destroy bacteria. They are very specific and only attack and lyse strains of an individual bacterial species or a small number of very closely related species. The USDA ARS has isolated several phages that attack either Vcor RE98 or Vcor RE22, two strains of Vcor that are known larval pathogens and which are found in PNW hatcheries. Hatchery experiments carried out by Oregon State University at the Hatfield Marine Science Center have shown that approximately 99% of larvae die within 48 hours of exposure to a concentration of 104 Vcor RE98 cells per ml. However, addition of a cocktail of RE98-specific phages at a concentration of 107 plaque-forming units (PFU) per ml reduced mortality of 2-day old larvae exposed to those same conditions by 50%.and 6-day old larvae by over 90%. PUBLIC EDUCATION THROUGH ECOSYSTEM RESTORATION AS A METHOD FOR IMPROVING OUTCOMES FOR STUDENTS AND ECOSYSTEMS MALINOWSKI, Peter Billion Oyster Project Shared goals of habitat uplift and improved outcomes for students lead to engaging educational programs and improved outcomes. Students as advocates, activists and restoration practitioners work alongside professionals in marine fields to grow, restore and conduct research throughout New York Harbor. Offered here is the thesis that habitat restoration without public education is fleeting, if we are to better our natural environment, engaging with the general public and school children in particular is an essential component for ensuring continued environmental improvement and meaningful changes in behavior. BILLION OYSTER PROJECT’S COMMUNITY REEFS PROGRAM AS A TOOL FOR UNDERSTANDING CHALLENGES AND OPPORTUNITIES FOR OYSTER RESTORATION IN AN URBAN SETTING MALINOWSKI, Peter Billion Oyster Project Billion Oyster Project’s Community Reef Program is a research platform that requires the ongoing participation of volunteers, community members and restoration practitioners. Designed

to evaluate site specific habitat suitability and habitat uplift, these installations inform future restoration and research efforts and create the opportunity to evaluate community engagement and assess behavior change. CRAB TEAM: UPDATE ON THE CITIZEN SCIENCE MONITORING PROGRAM FOR INVASIVE GREEN CRAB IN PUGET SOUND MCDONALD, P. Sean, Emily GRASON, Jeff ADAMS, Kate LITLE University of Washington, School of Aquatic and Fishery Science The European green crab (Carcinus maenas) is a globally invasive species. It was first detected in Washington waters in 1998 after warm El Niño currents spread larvae of California populations as far north as Vancouver Island. Because of perceived risks to coastal resources, the green crab was designated a deleterious species in Washington State, which among other actions, mandated monitoring and control of the species in state waters. In 2012 a population was identified within the Strait of Juan de Fuca, which led to the development of a citizen science program (henceforth Crab Team) to monitor for invasive green crab within the inland marine waters of Washington State (USA) starting in 2015. By 2016, 116 volunteers were monitoring 26 sites using baited traps and visual surveys. In August and September 2016, green crab were collected in Westcott Bay and Padilla Bay, Washington, respectively. Crab Team monitoring and subsequent rapid assessment efforts by multiple partners found one green crab molt carapace near the San Juan Island site, and three additional live crabs in Padilla Bay. In 2017, more than 75 green crab were collected in Dungeness Bay, Washington following initial detection at a Crab Team monitoring site. Efforts to reduce green crab numbers there are ongoing. Thus Crab Team and subsequent rapid actions serve the dual purpose of providing ongoing monitoring and collection of baseline data, as well as limited control in habitats vulnerable to invasion. A TALE OF TWO CRABBIES: TEMPERATURE EFFECTS ON THE BIOENERGETICS OF DUNGENESS AND GRACEFUL CRABS, WITH IMPLICATIONS FOR MANAGEMENT MCDONALD, P. Sean, Kirstin K. HOLSMAN, David A. ARMSTRONG University of Washington, School of Aquatic and Fishery Science Dungeness crab are culturally and economically important in Washington State. Yet there exists little information that could be used to assess potential climate effects on populations. For one thing increasing water temperatures associated with climate change might impact crab distribution. Dungeness crab are most abundant in coastal waters and deeper, cooler areas of

central and northern Puget Sound. In contrast, the graceful crab, is abundant in relatively shallow, warm waters of South Puget Sound and some embayments. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the effect of temperature on crab bioenergetics. We conducted feeding trials using crabs of roughly equal size fed known quantities of prey across a range of temperatures. Similarly, in order to determine size-specific consumption rates, we conducted feeding trials at the optimal foraging temperature for a wide size range of crabs. Consumption rates from feeding trials were fit to size- and temperature- specific algorithms using maximum likelihood estimates that also incorporate previous data. We compare consumption estimates for the species and consider the impact on crab bioenergetics and implications for management. While Dungeness crab presently outgrow and possibly outcompete graceful crab, as water temperatures increase the latter may expand their distribution, potentially occupying areas presently used by the former. Such a shift may have widespread economic and ecological impacts. COMPARATIVE HABITAT USE OF ESTUARINE HABITATS WITH AND WITHOUT OYSTER AQUACULTURE: CHALLENGES, PARTNERSHIPS, AND INITIAL LESSONS MEADERS, Marlene, Phil BLOCH*, Chris CZIESLA Confluence Environmental Company, 146 N. Canal St, Suite 111, Seattle, WA Native eelgrass is a common perennial aquatic plant that creates three-dimensional habitat structure and forms extensive intertidal and subtidal beds in estuaries and coastal areas. Eelgrass beds are an important component of coastal ecosystems because they stabilize coastal sediments, provide direct and indirect food sources for marine species, and act as a nursery for fish and invertebrates. Although shellfish aquaculture does not necessarily provide identical functions to eelgrass, there are a wide variety of ecological functions provided by shellfish aquaculture that are comparable to eelgrass, such as prey resources, water quality benefits, and habitat structure. The cited research also describes the increased diversity and nursery habitat provided by both eelgrass and oyster habitat an improved ecological function compared to mudflat habitat. Shellfish aquaculture, native eelgrass, and mudflat habitat have co-existed in Humboldt Bay for at least the last 60 years of commercial shellfish production, and for more than 100 years since the first attempts to introduce shellfish in 1896. Confluence Environmental Company (Confluence) put together a team of research scientists, academicians, tribal, state, and federal resource agency professionals, and commercial fishing and aquaculture company participants to address the interrelationship between shellfish aquaculture and estuarine habitat proactivity as it

relates to sustainable U.S. fisheries. The goal of the project is to provide research on the environmental impacts of aquaculture facilities by furthering the understanding of how fish and invertebrate communities are affected by the presence of cultch-on-longline oyster aquaculture in comparison to areas without oyster aquaculture. The first year of sampling has brought together a new set of challenges with effectively sampling habitat in situ but within a set unit area. Paired habitats were sampled using modified fyke net enclosures that are 30 feet by 30 feet (or 0.02 acres). Lessons learned include how to deploy enclosures in a dynamic environment, the best ways to sample bottom fish that burrow into soft sediment, and how to bring together a diverse group of individuals. The lessons learned from this year will be used to improve upon the sampling methods for the final events in 2018. The team is looking forward to night sampling this winter! We promise to take lots of useful photographs. HOW THE AUTOPHAGY PATHWAY IS MODULATE IN THE PACIFIC OYSTER CRASSOSTREA GIGAS DURING AN OSHV-1 INFECTION? PICOT1,Sandy, Benjamin MORGA1, Nicole FAURY1, Lionel DEGREMONT1, Isabelle ARZUL1, Tristan RENAULT2 1Laboratoire de Génétique et Pathologie des Mollusques Marins (SG2M-LGPMM), Institut Francais de Recherche pour l’Exploitation de la Mer (IFREMER), Avenue de Mus de Loup, 17390 La Tremblade, France 2Département Ressources Biologiques et Environnement (RBE), Institut Francais de Recherche pour l’Exploitation de la Mer (IFREMER), Rue de l’Ile d’Yeu - BP 21105 - 44 311 Nantes Cedex 03, France Mortality outbreaks of young Pacific oysters, Crassostrea gigas, have seriously affected the aquaculture economy in several countries around the world. Although the causes for these mortality outbreaks appear complex, a viral agent has been identified as a main factor: ostreid herpesvirus 1 (OsHV-1). The autophagy is an important degradation pathway involved in the response to several pathologies including viral diseases. A comparison between human and oyster genomes indicate that proteins implicated in autophagy are conserved between the two species. Recent works have shown that an autophagy pathway is functional in the Pacific oyster and autophagy is involved during OsHV-1 infection. Considering these results, the aim of the present study was to better understand the process of autophagy of the Pacific oysters throughout infection with OsHV-1. For this purpose, experimental infections by injection were carried out on families of Pacific oysters displaying different levels of susceptibility to OsHV-1 infection.

The autophagy pathway was investigated using different approaches. At a cellular level, autophagosomes formation was monitored in haemocytes by flow cytometry during the time of the experiment. At a molecular level, the expression of viral genes and autophagy-related genes was measured by RT PCR and the expression of LC3, a key protein marker of the autophagy pathway, was assessed by western-blot. The first results show an activation of the autophagy pathway in the haemocytes 14 hours post infection in oysters. This activation corresponds to the maximum level detection of viral DNA. Our results demonstrated that the autophagy pathway is functional in the haemocytes of C. gigas. STRATEGIES TO MINIMIZE RISKS ASSOCIATED WITH HUMAN PATHOGENIC Vibrio spp. IN FARM-RAISED OYSTERS GROWN IN THE US MID-ATLANTIC REGION REECE1, Kimberly S., Corinne AUDEMARD1, Tal BEN-HORIN2, Lisa M. CALVO3, David BUSHEK3

1Department of Aquatic Health Sciences, Virginia Institute of Marine Science, College of William and Mary, Gloucester Point, VA 2Department of Fisheries, Animal and Veterinary Sciences, College of the Environment and Life Sciences, University of Rhode Island, Kingston, RI 3Haskin Shellfish Research Lab, Rutgers University, 6959 Miller Ave, Port Norris, NJ Vibriosis in humans is often associated with consumption of shellfish and is most commonly caused by Vibrio parahaemolyticus (Vp), and to a lesser extent Vibrio vulnificus (Vv). Regulators, growers and consumers are concerned about these illnesses, which threaten the sustainability and growth of the shellfish aquaculture industry. Different aquaculture practices may affect levels of total and pathogenic vibrios in cultured oysters. Although intertidal oyster aquaculture is expanding along the Atlantic Coast, data regarding the influence of this grow-out method on vibrio levels is currently lacking from this region. Intertidal aquacultured oysters can be exposed to elevated temperatures during low tide, which might accelerate the proliferation of vibrios, leading to increased risk associated with the consumption of live half-shell oysters. We examined variation in concentrations of Vv, and total and pathogenic Vp, in intertidal or subtidal oysters at low, moderate and high salinity sites in the Virginia portion of Chesapeake Bay and the Eastern shore, and in Delaware Bay, NJ. For two years oyster samples were collected from May through September at the time of emergence (T0) of the intertidal oysters and 2 hrs after emergence (T2). During the second year, another sample was collected just before resubmersion of the intertidal oysters at the moderate salinity site. Vibrio species levels were

assessed in oyster homogenates using a dilution series most-probable number (MPN) method followed by quantitative PCR (qPCR). We fitted a generalized linear model (Binomial likelihood and log link) to relate the presence of absence of Vv and total and pathogenic Vp in each dilution series to a set of linear covariates. Data from Virginia indicated that overall, salinity was the factor having the greatest influence on Vibrio spp. concentrations with the lowest concentrations at the high salinity site. Incidence rate ratios indicated a 2-fold increase in total Vv and pathogenic Vp when oysters were exposed at low tide. We are currently conducting further analysis of the individual sampling time points and of the specific environmental conditions, particularly temperature, encountered at each time point. Analysis of the NJ samples is being completed and will allow further exploration of the effects of intertidal culture on Vibrio spp. levels. ENERGY ALLOCATION TO GROWTH AND STRUCTURAL SUPPORT DIFFERS FOR TWO CONGENER MUSSELS, Mytilus trossulus AND Mytilus galloprovincialis ROBERTS, Emily A. and Emily CARRINGTON University of Washington Seawater temperature and the amount of food available for shellfish fluctuate daily and seasonally, and these two factors are important in estimating shellfish growth and survival. Seawater conditions can influence the rate at which food is ingested and the rate at which energy from food is used (bioenergetics). The amount of energy ‘left over’ may not only go towards shellfish growth, but may also influence the quality and quantity of other key biomaterials. Mussels produce byssal thread structures to attach to aquaculture line, and stronger attachment is linked to lower likelihood of dislodgement. I performed a 3-month (Aug – Oct) laboratory experiment on the influence of a range of temperature and food levels on mussel growth, survival, and attachment of a native and non-native local mussel species, Mytilus trossulus and M. galloprovincialis. Season-long high temperature conditions increased mortality of the native mussel species, M. trossulus, but not the non-native M. galloprovincialis species. Despite lower survival of M. trossulus at high temperature, temperature initially increased thread production. In contrast, for the non-native M. galloprovincialis, temperature and food increased growth, and temperature increased thread production of this species. This work suggests energy allocation rules used in models of mussel attachment may be species-specific; thread production may be prioritized over growth and survival for the native M. trossulus.

PLAN: METHODS, CHALLENGES, AND RECOMMENDATIONS SAHLI1,2, Natalie, Laura JOHNSON1, Clara HARD1 1Washinton Department of Health 2Washington Sea Grant Vibrio parahaemolyticus (Vp) is a primary agent in foodborne illness following the consumption of raw shellfish. Currently, the Washington State Department of Health uses a preventative approach to manage the risk posed by Vp during the control months of May through September. The current Vp control plan (VpCP) assigns risk categories to each growing area based on a five-year rolling average of single-source illness counts. Risk categories require increasing stringency of time to temperature harvest controls, where oysters must be cooled to less than 50 degrees F within a set time to prevent additional bacteria growth. Presently, Washington’s VpCP does not integrate production data into the risk categorization processes. The state now has two years of shellstock data to evaluate risk of Vp-related illness on a per oyster basis. This approach intends to remove production bias from Vp risk evaluation, allowing for interannual and geographic risk comparison. Discussions with the shellfish industry surrounding a production-based risk categorization process have illuminated key challenges for moving forward with this approach. This talk aims to outline the work done on this novel risk approach, and highlight the common concerns expressed by growers. Additionally, this talk will recommend potential avenues to integrate production data into Vp risk management in a manner that recognizes growers’ needs, and the restraints of regulatory resources. ASSESSMENT OF INTERACTIONS BETWEEN SALMON HABITAT RESTORATION ACTIONS AND SHELLFISH RESOURCES SCHLENGER, Paul and Marlene MEADERS* Confluence Environmental Company, 146 N. Canal St, Suite 111, Seattle, WA River deltas and marine nearshore environments are important habitats for salmon and shellfish. Given the overlapping locations of these economically and culturally important resources, changes made to improve conditions for salmon can positively or negatively affect growing conditions for shellfish. The potential interactions between salmon habitat restoration efforts and shellfish resources in Hood Canal have emerged as a key consideration for salmon restoration planning. As projects get larger, and include more of a habitat mosaic, potential conflicts between user groups in the nearshore are becoming evident. To improve our understanding of the potential interactions, and identify ways to reduce the potential for conflict, the Hood Canal

Coordinating Council assessed how salmon habitat projects may be affecting Tribal, State, private commercial, and native shellfish resources. The assessment included a literature review and interviews with representatives from a diverse range of interests on this topic. The assessment report provided a state of the knowledge on the potential interactions, guidance for salmon habitat project development in areas with shellfish resources, and recommendations of monitoring parameters to fill data gaps and/or inform discussions during project planning. This is the initial effort in understanding this issue, which will hopefully develop and evolve along with salmon restoration activities. DOES PLASTIC SHELLFISH GEAR INCREASE MICROPLASTIC AND CHEMICAL EXPOSURES? SCHOOF, Rosalind Ramboll Environ US Corporation, Seattle, WA Allegations about potential adverse impacts of plastic shellfish gear fall into three general categories: 1) loss of gear from farms and subsequent impacts to wildlife, 2) breakdown of gear with release of microplastics, and 3) leaching of chemicals from gear. This talk will focus on the latter two issues. Many farmers report using the same gear for decades, reflecting the fact that plastic gear is designed for durability in the marine environment, and much of the gear incorporates UV inhibitors to ensure its longevity. In the Salish Sea low ambient temperatures and sunlight, combined with being underwater and covered by bio-foulants all serve to minimize plastic gear degradation. Industry management systems to reduce loss of gear are an important component of minimizing degradation because plastics that wash up on beaches with exposure to sunlight will have a greater tendency to degrade. The lack of release of microplastics from aquaculture gear is supported by available data for the Salish Sea, showing lower levels of microplastics in water and sediment in areas of active shellfish aquaculture compared with urban embayments. The allegations about chemicals leaching from plastic gear are particularly disturbing because of the complete lack of scientific support for the concerns raised. Initially, it was alleged that metals were leaching from polyvinyl chloride (PVC) tubes used in geoduck aquaculture. Given their durability, and the fact that metals are stabilizers, this allegation is not reasonable. Additionally, it has been shown that many of the metals identified as of potential concern are only present at very low levels in the PVC pipes being used, and that metal concentrations were not increased at a farm after two cycles of geoduck culture. Similar claims about phthalate plasticizers are unsupportable because such plasticizers are used in flexible PVC,

not rigid PVC. It has also been alleged that persistent organic chemicals (POCs) will adhere to microplastic particles released from gear, that the microplastics will then be ingested by aquatic biota. While this phenomenon has been observed in the laboratory with high concentrations of microplastics, new studies demonstrate this pathway is not a quantitatively important factor in biota exposures in environmental conditions. SEASONAL FORECASTS OF OCEAN ACIDIFICATION IN WASHINGTON AND OREGON WATERS SIEDLECKI1, S.A., S.R. ALIN2, A.J. HERMANN1, N. BOND1, J. NEWTON3, B. HALES4, R.A. FEELY2 1Joint Institute for the Study of the Atmosphere and Ocean, University of Washington, Box 355672, 3737 Brooklyn Ave NE, Seattle WA 2NOAA, Pacific Marine Environmental Laboratory, 7600 Sand Point Way NE, Seattle WA 3Applied Physics Laboratory, University of Washington, 1013 NE 40th St, Box 355640, Seattle, WA 4College of Earth, Ocean and Atmospheric Sciences, Oregon State University, 104 CEOAS Administration Building, Corvallis, OR Ocean acidification and hypoxia of coastal waters are of increasing concern to regional fisheries. In the Pacific Northwest (PNW), direct effects have been observed on the $100 million shellfish industry. The ability to predict the degree and timing of seasonal acidification as well as relevant indices of impact for the oyster industry could be of considerable benefit to these stakeholders. Through the design of ocean acidification relevant tracers within high-resolution models, regional simulations can improve our understanding of processes difficult to observe, investigate relationships between the ecology of marine organisms and ocean health, and generate short-term forecasts and long-term projections of changes in ocean conditions. For example, seasonal forecasting is now possible in the Washington and Oregon waters with JISAO’s Seasonal Coastal Ocean Prediction of the Ecosystem, J-SCOPE (Siedlecki et al, 2016). The model includes ocean acidification variables, whose design elucidated the importance of regional freshwater variability in determining local ocean acidification conditions. The model is able to forecast the seasonal change in corrosive conditions observed on the PNW shelves. The J-SCOPE team is now working to implement a forecast of optimal windows determined by a combination of temperature and aragonite saturation state for oysters after Hales et al. 2017. We

plan to showcase our initial results of these forecasts and invite discussion and feedback on this tool. GEODUCK AS INDICATORS OF ENVIRONMENTAL CHANGE SPENCER, Laura H., Micah HORWITH, Alex LOWE, Emma TIMMINS-SCHIFFMAN, Brook L. NUNN, Sean BENNETT, Steven ROBERTS The Pacific geoduck (Panopea generosa) is the largest clam native to the Pacific Northwest and is a burgeoning aquaculture species due to growing export demands from Asia. In Washington State, geoduck support important commercial fisheries via farmed and wild populations in Puget Sound and Willapa Bay. As a sedentary, calcifying bivalve occupying mostly subtidal sediment, geoduck are likely to be impacted by climate stressors, which have already been documented as trending towards warmer, more acidic marine conditions. In summer 2016 we outplanted sibling juvenile geoduck in four sites throughout Washington State, each site containing cohorts placed inside and outside eelgrass beds. Geoduck were enclosed to minimize predation, water chemistry was continuously monitored, and after four weeks of exposure geoduck gill tissue was taken for protein analysis. Specifically, shotgun then targeted proteomic analyses was performed and revealed expression pattern associated with local conditions. Together these results demonstrate protein profiles can provide valuable information on local conditions including how environmental change can influence bivalve physiology. MITIGATING HARMFUL ALGAL BLOOMS IMPACTS ON U.S. AQUACULTURE SUDDLESON, Marc1, Raphael KUDELA2, Michael JAMROS3, Neil HARRINGTON4, Jerry BORCHERT5, Audrey COYNE5, Teri KING6 1NOAA NCCOS 2University of California Santa Cruz 3Sitka Tribe of Alaska 4Jamestown S’Klallam Tribe 5Washington Department of Health 6Washington Sea Grant. By 2020, U.S. Marine aquaculture production is expected to increase by at least 50 percent. Planned expansion of U.S. marine aquaculture production coincides with increases in the number and intensity of harmful algal bloom (HAB) events and of the emergence of new HAB problems.

While most species of phytoplankton and cyanobacteria are harmless and support the aquatic food chain, a few dozen species create potent toxins given the right conditions. Harmful algal blooms can cause harm through the production of toxins or by their accumulated biomass, which can affect co-occurring organisms and alter food-web dynamics. HAB events tax our public health monitoring and seafood safety programs and disrupt industry operations. A lack of data on HAB events and potential impacts can lead to product loss or recalls. Public misperceptions about HABs can weaken confidence in the safety of seafood products. HAB events can cost coastal economies tens of millions of dollars. Currently, mitigation of HABs and their impacts is our best defense. NOAA and partner programs have enhanced monitoring to provide HAB early warning. NOAA is developing observing and forecasting programs. These efforts combined with rapid response to HAB events is helping maintain a safe supply of seafood, protect public health and minimize economic disruptions. This session will initiate opportunities to facilitate PCSGA members awareness of the current state of HAB science, existing programs providing HAB monitoring and early warning, plans to add state, regional and national capacity for HAB observation and forecasting; and opportunities for partnership, education, training, and future NOAA funding. It will also promote opportunities to raise NOAA awareness of ecological science priorities of the PCGSA and its membership. NATIONAL RESPONSE TO HARMFUL ALGAL BLOOMS SUDDLESON, Marc

NOAA NCCOS The Harmful Algal Bloom and Hypoxia Research and Control Act (HABHRCA) authorizes NOAA to coordinate federal efforts to help communities counter HAB threats and to support a national program of internal and external HAB research and technology development. Coastal stakeholders including the aquaculture industry have benefited from research, labs, and efforts to build sustainable regional HAB observing systems and a national Harmful Algal Bloom Operational Forecast System benefit Opportunities for greater dialogue and engagement are possible. GIANT RED SEA CUCUMBER (PARASTICHOPUS CALIFORNICUS) PUGET SOUND GROWOUT TRIALS AND OTHER INTERESTING FACTS SUHRBIER, Andy D. Pacific Shellfish Institute

The giant red sea cucumber (Parastichopus californicus) is a prized delicacy in Asian markets that is harvested along the west coast of North America. While populations have declined the market demand has not. Efforts to raise these creatures in an aquaculture setting in Alaska and Washington state are ongoing. Most notably in co-culture with mussels and black cod (sablefish). Other project goals such as hatchery development, population genetics and disease work are being achieved. SPECIES RESTORATION EFFORTS FOR WASHINGTON’S NATIVE PINTO ABALONE, Haliotis kamtschatkana. ULRICH, Michael and H.S. CARSON Washington State Department of Fish and Wildlife Pinto abalone populations in Washington State are severely depressed and in continued decline. Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife surveys of historic index stations, located throughout the San Juan Archipelago, indicate a 97% decline in mean station abalone density from 1992 to 2017. Given observed population densities and size structure, recruitment failure is apparent. Localized extirpation has been observed and is expected to continue. Active supplementation of wild populations is currently considered the principal restoration strategy for the species in Washington State. Restoration project partners initiated a captive broodstock and restoration hatchery program in 2003 and the first restoration outplants of hatchery reared juvenile abalone began in 2009. To date, nearly 15,000 juvenile (~18 month-old) have been outplanted to restoration sites in the San Juan Archipelago. Outplant sites are routinely surveyed, providing metrics by which the success of the program can be assessed and optimized. Trial outplants of larval pinto abalone have been attempted and a recent study using younger age juvenile abalone (9-13 month-old) has been initiated. EXPLORING PROTEOMIC VARIATION IN PACIFIC OYSTERS VENKATARAMAN1, Yaamini R., Steven B. ROBERTS1, Emma TIMMINS-SCHIFFMAN 1University of Washington, School of Aquatic and Fishery Sciences, 1122 NE Boat St, Seattle, WA 2University of Washington, Genome Sciences, 3720 15th Avenue NE, Seattle, WA Pacific oysters are important species, as they provide crucial ecosystem services and are the basis for aquaculture operations. Like other marine invertebrates, oysters are susceptible to changes in

environmental conditions. Increasingly acidified waters pose a threat to larval development and adult shell integrity. Wild oysters also face a second threat: increasing temperature regimes. There is a limited set of experiments studying oysters’ response to multiple stressors that directly reflect the suite of conditions and variability experienced in the wild. To examine the physiological effects of multiple stressors, including acidification, dissolved oxygen content, and temperature in the wild, 150 sibling C. gigas specimens were outplanted in five different study sites in and around the Puget Sound, WA. Gill tissue was collected after a month and shotgun proteomic analyses were performed with distinct differences in expression observed based on site characteristics. Upwards of 6,000 proteins were identified in total, and forty stress-related proteins were differentially expressed between sites. These data provide insight into how oysters are impacted by different environmental conditions and offer a framework for future lab experiments to identify viable biomarkers. FRESHTAG READER - A SMARTPHONE/TABLET APP FOR VITSAB’S SMART TTI LABELS INDICATING POTENTIAL RISK OF VIBRIO GROWTH WINOWICH, Mark Vitsab International AB Last year during the PCSGA’s 70th Annual Shellfish Conference & Trade Show at Campbell’s Resort in Chelan, WA, you were introduced to Vitsab’s research and development focused on a smart TTI label calibrated to vibrio doubling times. Since then, Vitsab has been very busy speaking around the world about this important development which is quickly becoming an industry best practice; including ICMSS in Galway, Ireland at the Molluscan Shellfish Global biennial event. Since PCSGA’s 2016 event, the formulations have been refined and calibrated for production and distribution; Vitsab has not stopped there. Your feedback and ideas keep coming and we are thrilled to introduce Vitsab’s new FreshTag TTI label design with enhanced function ability. Come learn about shipment validation, digital record keeping, and inventory stock rotation as a result of these improvements. POTENTIAL TRANSGENERATIONAL EFFECTS OF OCEAN ACIDIFICATION AND HYPOXIA ON THE FECUNDITY OF OLYMPIA OYSTERS (Ostrea lurida) WIPPEL*, Bryanda, C. FRIEDMAN, L. CROSSON, J. DAVIS, M. GEORGE, S. WHITE, R. STRENGE, E. CARRINGTON, M. ROBERTS,

Ocean acidification (OA) is decreasing the pH of surface waters in Puget Sound, Washington an area already prone to low pH from natural processes such as upwelling, freshwater inputs, and high respiration/decomposition rates. High reproduction and long residence times in the Sound can also lead to depleted oxygen levels (hypoxia) in some areas. Studies have shown the negative effects of these stressors on marine organisms, particularly calcifiers. This three-part study looks to determine how changes in pH and oxygen in seawater will affect larval production and survival of the already struggling native Olympia oyster (Ostrea lurida). Trial 1 determined no difference in larval release between adults conditioned at 1000, 1600, and 2400µatm pCO2 and found that oysters conditioned at 400µatm released significantly more larvae than the other three treatments. Trial 2 confirmed this, comparing 400 and 1600µatm CO2. In addition to same parental conditioning as the previous trial, trial 3 looked to see how those larvae survived when placed in varying crosses of CO2 (400 &1600µatm) and dissolved oxygen (8.0 & 3.6 mg/L) treatments. Decreased survival in two treatments resulted; offspring of high pCO2 parents who were exposed to high pCO2 and low DO (14.7% survival) and progeny of low pCO2 adults exposed to high pCO2 but high DO (22% survival). The results of these three trials suggest that elevated pCO2 negatively affects fecundity in O. lurida but that the synergistic effects of CO2 and DO on larval survival is more complex than previously thought. Multigenerational, multi-stressor studies such as this are important in determining how species will react to an ever-changing ocean environment. LIFTING BARRIERS TO RANGE EXPANSION: THE EUROPEAN GREEN CRAB, Carcinus maenas, ENTERS THE SALISH SEA. YAMADA1, Sylvia B., E. GRASON2, J. ADAMS2, P.S. McDonald2, R.E. Thompson3, G.E. GILLESPIE4, T.C. NORGARD4 1Integrative Biology, Oregon State University, Corvallis, OR 2University of Washington, Seattle, WA 3Institute of Ocean Sciences, Fisheries and Oceans Canada, Sidney, BC 4Pacific Biological Station, Fisheries and Oceans Canada, Nanaimo, BC While the European green crab, Carcinus maenas, has persisted in Oregon and Washington coastal estuaries, and thrived in the inlets of the west coast of British Columbia since 1998, populations of this species had not established themselves in the inner Salish Sea, between Southern Vancouver Island, the mainland and Puget Sound. It has been hypothesized that the Strait of Juan de Fuca acts as a semi-permeable barrier preventing C. maenas larvae from

entering this inland sea. Most years, the water is too cold (2.5o C above average) from the fall of 2014 through spring of 2016 would have allowed larvae to survive alongshore transport off the coasts of Oregon, Washington and southern British Columbia. Reversals of the estuarine current in the Strait of Juan de Fuca forced by strong southerly winds associated with major storms along the outer coast in late October 2014 and 2015 could have transported the warm ocean water and larvae inward through the strait and, with the aid of local winds and tidal currents, into the inner Salish Sea. Preferential inward transport would have been with the Olympic Peninsula Countercurrent that forms along the US side of the channel.