The potential ecological benefits of shellfish aquaculture in the Inland Bays and the status of groundwater modeling in the watershed are on the agenda of the next Delaware Center for the Inland Bays Scientific & Technical Advisory Committee meeting at 9 a.m., Friday, Sept. 7, at the Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control Lewes Field Station (next to the DNREC Boat Ramp) at 901 Pilottown Road.

E.J. Chalabala, restoration coordinator, and Bart Wilson, science coordinator for the CIB, will present an update on the Inland Bays Shellfish Aquaculture Initiative, a stakeholder-based plan to explore the potential for shellfish aquaculture in the Inland Bays. Chalabala will discuss the role of the planning committee, the process of gathering stakeholder input, and the development of legislation that would allow for shellfish aquaculture in the Inland Bays.

Wilson will discuss the role of spatial planning in developing potential sites for shellfish aquaculture and the process that is underway to identify and map potential conflicts and consider competing interests and concerns.

Dr. Lisa Kellogg from the Virginia Institute of Marine Studies will discuss the role of shellfish in reducing nutrient levels, and present current research on the benefits of farm-raised shellfish in improving water quality.

Also on the agenda, Dr. Holly Michaels of the University of Delaware Geosciences Department, will present findings from her ongoing studies monitoring groundwater flow, and nutrient levels in groundwater flowing into Indian River Bay.

The Science and Technical Advisory Committee is a standing committee of the CIB Board of Directors. The public is welcome to attend these meetings. For more information, contact Sally Boswell, education and outreach coordinator at 302-226-8105 or go to www.inlandbays.org.