Two scientific bodies have considered the introduction of the Suminoe oyster and made recommendations concerning the risks and benefits that should be addressed and the research required to accomplish this:  

• A National Research Council committee examined three management options, including both prohibition of the introduction of nonnative oysters and proceeding with the introduction of reproductive diploid oysters.  It recommended the middle-road option of continuing the trials of open-water aquaculture of sterile, triploid oysters while engaging in a parallel program of strategic research over six to seven years that would support a risk assessment of the potential introduction of reproductively capable diploid Suminoe oysters in the Bay. (click here for the NRC Report) 

• The Scientific and Technical Advisory Committee of the Chesapeake Bay Program identified and prioritized research requirements, focusing on high and essential priority research that could be completed in a five-year program. (click here for the STAC Report)

The University of Maryland Center for Environmental Science is actively engaged in research on the risks and benefits of Suminoe oysters in the Chesapeake Bay supported by Maryland Sea Grant, Maryland DNR, and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration.  The UMCES approach is cautious, involving rigorous testing of hypotheses concerning risks and benefits and a high level of biosecurity to prevent the inadvertent release of Suminoe oysters capable of reproducing or diseases that may be borne by the nonnative oysters into the wild.  UMCES President Donald Boesch has presented testimony to the Maryland General Assembly on the questions being addressed, research being conducted and the likely timeframe for a scientifically rigorous assessment. 

Recently Completed and Ongoing Research