Crustacean Ecology: Behavioral ecology, population dynamics and recruitment mechanisms of blue crabs in Chesapeake Bay, and of spiny lobsters in the Caribbean. Emphasis on predator-prey interactions, with additional concentration on population and fisheries modeling, the ecology of natural and artificial reef systems, and the ecology of tropical fish and queen conch.

Bivalve Ecology: Studies on recruitment of bivalves, particularly oysters, and effects of the environment on physiology and behavior of larval oysters and other bivalves, and oyster population assessments.

• Visit the Molluscan Ecology Program page.

Fish and Shellfish Pathology: Systematics, life cycles, ecology, pathology and control of important disease agents in the Chesapeake Bay region. Emphasis is on protozoan parasites of oysters, blue crabs and fishes.

Fisheries Genetics: Research involving the application of molecular genetic techniques to address problems in fisheries science. The scope of studies includes: analyses of stock structure; the use of molecular characters to identify the early life history stages of marine organisms; and the evaluation of taxonomic and biogeographic hypotheses with molecular genetic information. Current projects range from investigations of estuarine to pelagic organisms, including oysters, bluefish, sharks, tunas and billfishes.

Finfish Ecology and Systematics: Research on the population dynamics, recruitment, stock structure and life history of marine, estuarine and anadromous fishes; based on sampling fisheries landings, extensive research surveys and tagging studies. Information collected in this program area is directly applied to fisheries management by state and regional agencies. Research on the morphology, evolution, taxonomy and zoogeography of various finfish groups using both larvae and adults.

Commercial Fisheries Development: Research involves the performance and selectivity of commercial fishing gear including modifications to address problems related to bycatch. Studies include international fisheries, the use of alternative fishing gear, seafood product development, vessel operations, shellfish and finfish aquaculture as well as fisheries management.

Chondrichthyan Biology: Studies of comparative morphology (drag-reducing mechanisms, electroreception, etc.) of sharks and their relatives; population dynamics, reproduction, feeding strategies and energetics of coastal and deep-sea sharks; shark fishery management problems.

Sea Turtle Ecology: Research on distribution, abundance, ecology and energetics of sea turtles; behavior and migration studies using sonic, radio and satellite tracking; studies on nesting and sex ratios; population studies using aerial surveys. The SMS is the Sea Turtle Stranding Center for Virginia.

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