**AWARDS ISSUED PRIOR TO JANUARY 20, 2025, WERE FUNDED UNDER PREVIOUS ADMINISTRATIONS AND MAY NOT REFLECT THE PRIORITIES AND POLICIES OF THE CURRENT ADMINISTRATION.** THIS PROJECT WILL DIRECTLY SUPPORT A COLLABORATIVE EFFORT FOR NORTH CAROLINA'S SHELLFISH AQUACULTURE INDUSTRY AND RELATED STAKEHOLDERS TO IMPROVE OUR COLLECTIVE UNDERSTANDING OF OYSTER MORTALITY EVENTS THAT ARE OCCURRING IN RESPONSE TO EXTREME WEATHER EVENTS. IN THE NORTH CAROLINACASE, DROUGHT CONDITIONS IN EASTERN NC OVER THE PAST FEW YEARS HAVE CAUSED THE ESTUARY RECEIVING WATERS TO BECOME IN INCREASINGLY MORE SALINE. DROUGHT CONDITIONS CAUSE NOT ONLY REDUCTIONS IN PRECIPITATION, BUT CAN INDIRECTLYSHIFT EVAPORATION RATES AND GROUNDWATER LEVELS TO THE EXCENT THAT ESTUARINE WATER COLUMNSALINITIES BECOME DISPROPORTIONATELY INCREASED. THEY RECURRING OYSTER MORTALITY EVENTS POSE A CRITICAL THREAT TO THESUSTAINABILITY AND ECONOMIC IMPACTS OF THE SHELLFISH AQUACULTURE INDUSTRY. THE OVERALL GOAL OF THE PROJECT ISTO ENHANCE THE RESILIENCE OF THE SHELLFISH INDUSTRY AND SIGNIFICANTLY REDUCE OYSTER LOSSES THROUGH INNOVATIVE RESEARCH, CONNECTION TO FARMERS AND INDUSTRY STAKEHOLDERS, AND THE DEVELOPMENT OF PRACTICAL FARM-LEVEL PRACTICES TO MITIGATE FARM PRODUCT LOSSES ASSOCIATED WITH MORTALITY EVENTS.