91��Ƭ��

The Commonwealth of Virginia is well known for its oysters. They are far more than a dining delicacy. Oysters play a vital role in marine health and the mariculture economy. Now, an industry longstanding challenge of managing bird interactions is receiving new help with 91��Ƭ�� at the helm.  

91��Ƭ��’s Virginia Institute for Spaceflight & Autonomy (VISA) is leading a new multi-institutional project that brings autonomous systems, artificial intelligence and environmental science together. The effort will tackle managing bird interactions while ensuring regulatory compliance, maintaining oyster farm productivity and protecting wildlife and ecosystem health.  

Virginia ranks first in the US in eastern oyster production, according to the . As the state’s shellfish industry continues to expand, farmers face increasing pressure to meet precautionary federal sanitation requirements, making effective, sustainable bird deterrence a shared priority across research, regulation and industry.

Oysters play a vital role in the health of marine environments, naturally filtering water, providing important habitat and strengthening coastal shorelines through reef formation. Protecting productive oyster farms helps sustain these ecosystem benefits while supporting Virginia’s working waterfronts.

With an award of nearly $1 million from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) Sea Grant College Program, 91��Ƭ��’s VISA and its research partners, William & Mary’s Batten School Coastal & Marine Sciences & Virginia Institute of Marine Science (VIMS ) and Institute for Integrative Conservation, will design and test an intelligent bird deterrence system. The system aims to protect shellfish farms while minimizing disruption to surrounding wildlife and waterfront communities. 

Turning a Practical Problem into an Opportunity for Innovation 
Federal shellfish sanitation regulations require growers to have bird-management plans in place to prevent contamination of aquaculture products. But most current deterrent strategies — from raptor-shaped kites that lose their effect as birds adapt to propane noise cannons that can frustrate nearby residents — are either too intrusive or too easily outsmarted. 

This project aims to change that equation by introducing adaptive deterrent systems that activate only when needed. The team will integrate Sonic-Net acoustic technology, semi-autonomous vessels, listening sensors and AI-driven cameras to monitor bird activity in real time, triggering minimal and varied responses when birds are detected. 

“Our goal is to develop something that is smarter and more efficient than what farmers have had access to before,” said John Shull, principal investigator and lead project scientist at VISA, part of 91��Ƭ��’s Office of Enterprise Research and Innovation. 

Partnerships That Bridge Technology and Ecology

The project brings together complementary expertise across institutions:

• 91��Ƭ��’s VISA leads the project, advancing research in autonomous systems, sensor networks and AI modeling.
• William & Mary’s Batten School & VIMS through its Commercial Shellfish Aquaculture Lab and Team (C-SALT), contributes extensive shellfish aquaculture knowledge, industry partnerships and field-testing capability.
• William & Mary’s Institute for Integrative Conservation (IIC) provides expertise in bird behavior, ecological design and conservation ethics to ensure the technologies developed remain environmentally sound and effective. 

“We’re excited to be part of this grant which reflects 91��Ƭ��’s commitment to applying advanced research to solve real-world challenges that mariculture is facing,” said Dr. Eric Weisel, senior associate vice president for applied research at 91��Ƭ��. “With this project, we are showing how interdisciplinary collaboration can support Virginia’s vital shellfish industry while protecting wildlife and ensuring consumers are enjoying safe, nutritious seafood.” 

“The Batten School & VIMS seek to advance and support a thriving and sustainable shellfish aquaculture community in Virginia and the United States, working closely with the Virginia shellfish aquaculture industry,” said Bill Walton, Ph.D., coordinator of the Batten School & VIMS’ Shellfish Aquaculture Program. “Partnering with Old Dominion allows us to dive into the realm of intelligent technologies that support shellfish farms and the environments they depend on.”

Field trials will begin at the C-SALT research farm and expand to commercial aquaculture sites across Virginia and the Mid-Atlantic. Results and open-source data will be shared through Sea Grant extension workshops and other stakeholder networks.

The project runs through the 2027 farming season and is supported by NOAA’s National Sea Grant College Program through Virginia Sea Grant.