Virginia Sea Grant:
The team loads up the boats at VIMS to deploy the oysters on the other side of the York River. ©Janet Krenn/VASG
Virginia Sea Grant:
Bags help keep oysters contained and make for easier handling for shellfish growers and shellfish researchers alike. ©Janet Krenn/VASG
Virginia Sea Grant:
Lauren Gregg (right) takes a bag of oysters from Blaine Schoolfield (left) as the team loads up the boats at VIMS to deploy the oysters on the other side of the York River. ©Janet Krenn/VASG
Virginia Sea Grant:
Lauren Gregg looks over the rows of oyster bags before setting off to deploy the specially-bred oysters on the other side of the York River. ©Janet Krenn/VASG
Virginia Sea Grant:
Blaine Schoolfield (left) and Nate Geyerhahn (right) pull up oyster cages while Lauren Gregg and Brian Callum (back) start moving bags of oysters off the boat. ©Janet Krenn/VASG
Virginia Sea Grant:
Oyster cages have a hook that keeps them closed as they sit in the water. ©Janet Krenn/VASG
Virginia Sea Grant:
Nate Geyerhahn (left) and Blaine Schoolfield (right) deploy oysters in the York River as part of a study about disease resistance. ©Janet Krenn/VASG
Virginia Sea Grant:
Oyster growers and researchers use special cages not only to keep the oysters from washing away, but to protect from predators, such as blue crabs. ©Janet Krenn/VASG
Virginia Sea Grant:
Nate Geyerhahn (left) and Blaine Schoolfield (right) pick up oyster cages secured to the bottom of the York River. The cages will be filled with oyster bags as part of a study about disease resistance. ©Janet Krenn/VASG