Shellfish disease and disease introduction is a concern for shellfish farmers, commercial harvesters, and resource managers worldwide.  Often, the spread of disease has been associated with the transfer of shellfish stocks. The growth of shellfish aquaculture on the East Coast of the U.S. has long relied on the hatchery production of seed.  There are approximately 50 hatcheries along the East Coast and interstate transfers are fundamental to regional commerce and production. 

Each state within the region has policies or regulations regarding seed importations.  Most require health evaluation and careful review of each shipment batch proposed for importation.  This process is time consuming and costly. 

Research continues to demonstrate that there is little risk of disease transfer associated with young/small seed that has been maintained on filtered water in the hatchery. Based on this evidence, the RSSBP has been working to develop tools and programs to streamline interstate commerce of hatchery seed, in the belief that incentivizing commerce in these typically disease-free products will foster enhanced biosecurity through the broader regional industry.

• Safi, L.S.L., McGurk, E. S., Carnegie, R.B., and Bushek, D. (2025 online/in press) The biosecurity of bivalve seed transfers during different life stages with respect to their pathogens.  Aquaculture.  606 article 742548.  https://doi.org/10.1016/j.aquaculture.2025.742582