Improving knowledge of physiological and genetic characteristics of pacific oysters to ensure future sustainable farming on the U.S. Pacific coast -- 1) improve resistance of pacific coast oyster…

The Department of Agriculture Agricultural Research Service awarded Oregon State University a $182,991.60 cooperative agreement on May 31, 2026, to improve knowledge of physiological and genetic characteristics of Pacific oysters and ensure future sustainable farming on the U.S. Pacific Coast under the Agricultural Research Basic and Applied Research program (CFDA 10.001).

The award funds three specific activities: improving resistance of Pacific Coast oyster breeding populations to variants of oyster herpes virus OSHV-1; designing and implementing new breeding and broodstock management strategies to improve the reliability and efficiency of hatchery and farm production; and determining the distribution and intensity of Pacific oyster mortalities due to diseases and environmental stressors along the Pacific Coast. Work is performed in Newport, Oregon, with a period of performance through May 30, 2028.

Improving knowledge of physiological and genetic characteristics of pacific oysters to ensure future sustainable farming on the U.S. Pacific coast -- 1) improve resistance of pacific coast oyster breeding populations to variants of the oyster herpes virus oshv-1; 2) design and implement new breeding and broodstock management strategies to improve the reliability and efficiency of hatchery and farm production; 3) determine the distribution and intensity of pacific oyster mortalities due to diseases and environmental stressors along the pacific coast.