This subject was suggested as an education and training priority at the Oyster Consortium meeting in Sydney March’07, was reaffirmed at the Oyster Consortium planning meeting in Hobart in September 07, and was broached again at the Shellfish Futures Conference in Hobart, Nov 07. Whilst Roy Palmer was in Rhode Island (on other business) he had a meeting with the Chair of WERA and obtained information which he put into a report that was circulated to the Oyster Consortium.
WERA objectives are
1. Provide a forum for geneticists, physiologists, nutritionists, biotechnologists and others interested in the aquaculture of molluscan shellfish to exchange ideas and information on molluscan genetics, reproduction, pathology, brood-stock management, breeding programs, hatcheries, husbandry techniques, and restoration strategies.
2. Develop protocols for the preservation of valuable genetic material for future use by researchers.
3. Maximise and co-ordinate research efforts among scientists on the Pacific, Atlantic and Gulf coasts, USA, as well as international researchers.
4. Identify research needs for enhancement of commercial molluscan production through genetic improvement while maintaining environmental quality.
5. Evaluate different approaches for restoration of depleted stocks of native oysters.
6. Provide industry members with up-to-date research information that will lead to optimal brood-stock management and breeding programs to enhance commercial production.
7. Publish committee reports and documents.
Final report
Judd Evans and I attended the WERA 099 Broodstock Management, Genetics and Breeding Programs for Molluscan Shellfish meeting on Sunday the 6th of April and the National Shellfish Association Annual Conference, 6th to 10th of April, held in Providence, Rhode Island. We then travelled, via New York, to Newport, Oregon (the Hatfield marine Research Centre) and up to Shelton, Washington (Taylors’ Shellfish) visiting an oyster farm and a hatchery along the way. We returned home on the 18th of April. The following is a report, in diary form, of this trip.