Abstract:

Recent research has demonstrated that commercially harvested shellfish are sensitive to ocean acidification (OA), with consequences including reductions in growth, calcification, reproduction and survival.  To maintain yields of farmed shellfish under increasing acidification, industry-academic partnerships are needed to implement adaptation measures to reduce the impact of this global change.  Over the past decade, researchers at the University of California Davis Bodega Marine Laboratory have forged partnerships with commercial shellfish growers in California, USA to examine potential ocean acidification impacts to production and broader restoration and conservation of shellfish species.  Work by this group has included experiments assessing impacts to California oysters, mussels and more recently both red abalone (Haliotis rufescens) and endangered white abalone (H. sorenseni).  As part of this work, we are testing the hypothesis that differences in regional oceanography could select for variation in OA tolerance within and among populations of these organisms. Through challenge experiments including multiple family groups and populations, we are identifying adaptive variants that may be important for seeding aquaculture and for wild population management under future OA conditions. In experiments to date, we have observed strong negative effects of OA on the survival and growth of these species, but also substantial variation in these responses associated with factors such as population of origin, diet, maternal provisioning strategy and both maternal and paternal genetic background.  These results suggest that adaptive OA strategies could be developed and applied to build long-term resilience into the commercial and conservation culture of these iconic and economically valuable species.

Key words:

adaptation; shellfish; aquaculture; regional variation; species conservation; industry impacts