The U.S. Bureau of Commercial Fisheries established the Oxford
Laboratory in 1960 to investigate MSX disease that dramatically impacted oysters
in Chesapeake and Delaware Bays.
The research focus at Oxford Laboratory expanded by 1969 to include programs on shellfish
mortality, aquaculture, ecology, and fishery development, and broadened to include
commercial oysters, clams, and crabs.
Oxford Laboratory’s location
on the Tred Avon River, Chesapeake Bay, was well suited for research on oyster husbandry
and hatchery methods development.
Research ponds and an algal culture facility supported early studies on oyster ecology
and growing of oysters on racks and trays under controlled conditions. Studies were
designed to help mitigate economic and ecologic losses of important shellfish species.
In recent times, Oxford Laboratory helped the oyster aquaculture industry to mitigate
the effects of Juvenile Oyster Disease (JOD). An Oxford Laboratory worker documents
mortality in oysters grown on a string kept on racks.