Current status of dermo disease in oysters of Matagorda and Aransas Bay Systems

There is a great interest in restoration of oyster reefs in the Gulf of Mexico as a result of destruction brought on by three major hurricanes (Katrina, Rita, Ike) and the more recent BP oil spill Oyster populations are declining. Disease and predation are significant contributors to this decline. The purpose of this presentation is to highlight the role of these factors as headwinds to the restoration of oyster reefs in the Gulf of Mexico