AN INFECTIOUS DISEASE HAS BEEN CAUSING SIGNIFICANT MORTALITY IN ADULT BAY SCALLOP POPULATIONS IN NEW YORK, AND RECENT INVESTIGATIONS HAVE REVEALED THE PRESENCE OF THE CAUSATIVE PARASITE AT A FIELD SITE IN MARTHA'S VINEYARD, WHERE SCALLOPS EXHIBITED POOR TISSUE CONDITION AND REDUCED SURVIVORSHIP. THIS PROPOSAL AIMS TO IDENTIFY DISEASE-RESISTANT SCALLOPS THAT COULD BE USED FOR AQUACULTURE AND STOCK ENHANCEMENT. IN PARALLEL, GENETIC ANALYSES WILL BE CONDUCTED TO CHARACTERIZE RESISTANT SCALLOPS AND SUPPORT FUTURE STOCK SELECTION EFFORTS. DISEASE-RESISTANT SCALLOP STOCKS WILL BE MAINTAINED AND USED TO STRENGTHEN THE REGIONAL AQUACULTURE INDUSTRY. THE EXPECTED OUTCOMES WILL OPTIMIZE AQUACULTURE EFFORTS IN THE NORTHEAST AND SUPPORT THE RECOVERY OF BAY SCALLOP POPULATIONS IN THE REGION.DOING SO, THE STUDY DIRECTLY ADDRESSES EXECUTIVE ORDER 14276 AIMED AT ENHANCING SEAFOOD PRODUCTION AND COMPETITIVENESS, AND ENHANCING ECONOMIC GROWTH IN THE UNITED STATES.