The Molluscan Ecology Program within the Natural Resources Section at the Virginia Institute of Marine Science (VIMS) is a dynamic research group that originates from the first oyster biologists at the Virginia Fisheries Laboratory, the organizational ancestor to VIMS. We provide research-based advisory service to Virginia for oyster biology, ecology, restoration, and fishery management, plus our research includes a wide range of other topics. Since the late 1990s, we have worked with scientists and industry members on stock assessment, modeling, and aging of Atlantic surf clam and ocean quahog populations along the East Coast of the United States.
Graduate education at William & Mary's Batten School of Coastal & Marine Sciences & VIMS at the Masters and Ph.D. level is an integral component of our program. We also participate in the National Science Foundation's Research Experiences for Undergraduates (REUs) via the main William & Mary campus coordinating with several departments including the W&M Center for Geospatial Analysis.
