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A new method could help Washington shellfish farmers control a pesky shrimp

Researchers have developed a non-chemical method to kill burrowing shrimp in targeted areas, reducing their population by up to 98%. The technique uses vibration and pressure to compact sediment and trap shrimp, starved of oxygen, leading to their death. The method shows promise for shellfish farmers struggling with the invasive species.

SourceUniversity of Washington·JournalJournal of Shellfish Research·DateMay 14, 2026

Pacific oyster may colonize the Baltic Sea

Researchers from the University of Gothenburg have discovered that Pacific oysters can reproduce in less salty waters, potentially allowing them to colonize the western Baltic Sea. The study found that genetic diversity and breeding habitat play a crucial role in the oysters' ability to adapt.

SourceUniversity of Gothenburg·JournalMolecular Ecology·TypeExperimental study·DateMar 19, 2025

Study highlights successes of Virginia’s oyster restoration efforts

A study led by Alexandria Marquardt suggests that Virginia's oyster restoration practices are effective in increasing fishery sustainability and supporting local economies. The research shows that shell replenishment activities, combined with rotational harvests, result in improved reef structure and increased commercial harvests.

SourceVirginia Institute of Marine Science·JournalJournal of Environmental Management·DateFeb 21, 2025

More acidic oceans may affect the sex of oysters

A study found that ocean acidification can shift the sex ratio of oysters towards females, a mechanism known as environmental sex determination. This phenomenon was observed across multiple generations in both hatcheries and natural habitats, highlighting the potential impact of climate change on marine ecosystems.

SourceAmerican Chemical Society·JournalEnvironmental Science & Technology·DateJan 23, 2025

To build better fiber optic cables, ask a clam

Researchers discovered that heart cockle shells have translucent areas with hair-thin strands that deliver specific wavelengths of light into the bivalves' tissues. This natural system filters out bad wavelengths and channels in optimal wavelengths for photosynthesis, benefiting the clams' symbiotic algae.

SourceDuke University·JournalNature Communications·TypeImaging analysis·DateDec 2, 2024

Fossils from the Adriatic Sea show a recent and worrying reversal of fortunes

The study found a recent reversal of fortunes in the Adriatic Sea, with populations of marine predators and their prey plummeting and being replaced by a single species. The researchers used seafloor environments to determine interactions between species, showing a decline in biodiversity and excess nutrients.

SourceFlorida Museum of Natural History·JournalProceedings of the Royal Society B Biological Sciences·DateSep 24, 2024

Sustaining oyster farming with sturdier rafts

Researchers at Osaka Metropolitan University have developed polyethylene rafts that are about five times more durable than traditional bamboo rafts used in oyster farming. The new rafts are designed to be affordable and can withstand harsh weather conditions, reducing damage from typhoons.

SourceOsaka Metropolitan University·JournalOcean Engineering·TypeComputational simulation/modeling·DateAug 26, 2024

The detection of a massive harmful algal bloom in the Arctic prompts real-time advisories to western Alaskan communities

A massive harmful algal bloom was detected in the Bering Strait region of western Alaska in 2022, posing an unprecedented risk to human and ecosystem health. The bloom, caused by the single-celled organism Alexandrium catenella, was tracked using new technology and communicated to remote coastal communities in real-time.

SourceWoods Hole Oceanographic Institution·JournalLimnology and Oceanography Letters·TypeObservational study·DateJul 10, 2024

Restored oyster sanctuaries host more marine life

New research reveals oyster sanctuaries contain more abundant populations of oysters and other animal life, despite the presence of parasites. The study found that these areas support higher oyster densities and habitat quality than nearby harvest sites.

SourceSmithsonian·JournalMarine Ecology Progress Series·TypeObservational study·DateJul 8, 2024

Neolithic groups from the south of the Iberian Peninsula first settled permanently in San Fernando (Cadiz) 6,200 years ago

The first Neolithic farmers and shepherds in Andalusia settled permanently on the island of San Fernando, Cadiz, 6,200 years ago. They collected and consumed shellfish throughout the year, with a greater exploitation during the colder months of autumn, winter, and early spring.

SourceUniversitat Autonoma de Barcelona·JournalArchaeological and Anthropological Sciences·TypeExperimental study·DateFeb 15, 2024

Threat of bioaccumulation: New study investigates impact of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons on bay scallops

Researchers evaluated the toxicological effects of BaP on bay scallops, finding increased immune response-related parameters with time at higher concentrations. The study suggests that BaP dampens the immune response of scallops and decreases their capacity to respond to oxidative stress.

SourceNational Korea Maritime and Ocean University·JournalFish & Shellfish Immunology·TypeExperimental study·DateMay 31, 2022