Title

Regional Shellfish Seed Biosecurity Program Provides a Science-based Pathway to Improved Biosecurity with Respect to Pathogens that Afflict Shellfish

Relevance

{"ops":[{"insert":"Shellfish harvests contribute more than $1 billion annually to the New Jersey economy. Wild caught harvests are sustainable but maxed out, and face threats from climate change as well as competing interests for the resource or access to the resource. Shellfish aquaculture, a form of farming, provides a viable alternative and is growing rapidly in New Jersey and elsewhere. Shellfish farming provides many environmental benefits by providing structure that creates habitat and can help protect shorelines, by filtering particles out of the water which allows sunlight to reach plants growing on the sea floor, and by removing excess nutrients that can otherwise lead to harmful algal blooms.\n\nThe growth of shellfish aquaculture relies on the hatchery production of seed (juvenile shellfish) to support increasing numbers of farms along the East Coast, including in New Jersey. The interstate transfer of seed stock is crucial to regional commerce and production; however, the spread of disease has been associated with the transfer of shellfish stocks in the past leading many regulators to be cautious about permitting the importation of shellfish from outside their jurisdictions. The regulation of seed transfers is done by individual states, but shellfish disease distributions do not respect state or national boundaries. Therefore, the introduction of disease in this lucrative industry is a concern for shellfish farmers, fishers, and resource managers worldwide.\n\nAs shellfish aquaculture continues to expand nationally and internationally the movement of shellfish seed (i.e., larvae and juveniles) is increasing to support shellfish farms and this movement increases the risk of spreading shellfish pathogens. There is presently no standardized biosecurity system for intra- or interstate movements nor for international transfers. States have created policies and regulations for permitting importations, but these vary widely and there is little access to current or historic shellfish pathogen data on which one can make a risk assessment to allow or deny a transfer. Resultant policies are naturally precautious and often include cumbersome and time-consuming evaluations that can inhibit industry growth and risks business success, which can lead to unregulated transfers that ultimately increase risk. This project aims to create a shellfish seed biosecurity program with an accessible database to inform user groups, standards for biosecurity of shellfish hatchery and nursery operations, and a surveillance program with standardized diagnostics, all of which can facility research on transmission dynamics and the ecology of shellfish pathogens to improve management of both natural and cultivated shellfish resources.\n"}]}

Response

{"ops":[{"insert":"Research shows that there is negligible risk of disease transfer associated with small seed that has been maintained on filtered water during the hatchery phase of production. This provides a biosecure product that is safe for transfer among states because larvae and young seed have had limited opportunity to contract parasites and pathogens that afflict shellfish. The Regional Shellfish Seed Biosecurity Program (RSSBP) develops critical tools for producers and regulators to ensure biosecurity and conducts audits of best management practices at hatcheries to streamline interstate permitting for shellfish seed and larvae being sold directly out of hatchery facilities.\n\nThe RSSBP is established with a web presence at http://rssbp.org that includes a formal structure to represent stakeholders from the shellfish aquaculture industry, the regulatory community, extension specialists, and the research/academic subject matter expert community. The website continues to grow and evolve as a living resource for all stakeholders.The primary functions of the website are to (1) provide an awareness among stakeholders about disease risk involved with shellfish transfers, (2) provide best management practices for hatcheries and nurseries and an avenue to have products recognized as biosecure when produced without further need for additional health examinations that cost both time and money, and (3) provide information on past and current status and distributions of shellfish pathogens. \n"}]}

Results

{"ops":[{"insert":"Established with support from various NOAA and USDA programs, RSSBP has matured into an impactful program along the East Coast. With additional funding from the NOAA Sea Grant Aquaculture HUBS program and USDA Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS), it has reached into the shellfish aquaculture industry in the Gulf of Mexico. This successfully established program has been successfully piloted and is now mature and accessible to all shellfish hatcheries: "},{"attributes":{"link":"https://rssbp.org/hatchery-compliance-program/"},"insert":"https://rssbp.org/hatchery-compliance-program/"},{"insert":". The list of participating hatcheries continues to grow (initially four, now 11 in 2024 with 16 planning to participate in 2025).\n\nLouisiana has integrated the RSSBP into their seed importation and transfer request policies, while Mississippi and Alabama are contemplating similar language. Texas and Florida strictly limit movements to stocks that originate from within their respective state as a means of protecting the genetic integrity of local populations yet consider the RSSBP as a positive move towards biosecurity during any shellfish transfers, including those within their state waters. \n\nDuring 2024, a Pathology Working Group was used to investigate a mortality event on farms in New Jersey and North Carolina and also to advise the Canadian oyster industry following outbreaks of MSX and dermo disease in PEI. These deliberations are confidential to protect the interests of the parties involved.Outcomes have result in both approvals and denials for transfer.\n\nAs the program continues to gain acceptance among regulators and within the industry there is a growing desire to ensure its longevity. To this end, an Advisory Council has been developed representing various sector interests and perspectives and the geographic extent of the industry. Both the Advisory Council and project team are working to identify mechanisms for financial stability and viability as grant funding nears its end. \n"}]}

Public Value Statement

{"ops":[{"insert":"Rutgers Haskin Shellfish Research Laboratory and Virginia Institute of Marine Science Shellfish Pathology Laboratory have worked with regulators and shellfish producers to develop safe and secure mechanisms to produce and transfer shellfish seed (juvenile shellfish) for aquaculture. Several states are looking to the Regional Shellfish Seed Biosecurity Program (RSSBP) to help protect their shellfish resources and industry. The USDA Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) program is moving towards adopting RSSBP as part of their Comprehensive Aquatic Health Program Standards.\n"}]}

Primary Focus Area

Environmental Stewardship

Secondary Focus Area

Food Security

Impact Statement