NCCOS Cooperative Oxford Laboratory

Located just off the Tred Avon River in the town of Oxford on Maryland’s Eastern Shore, the Cooperative Oxford Laboratory (COL) brings together state and federal scientists to study important research topics for the Chesapeake Bay region and nationwide. At COL, scientists monitor water quality and tides, and study the presence and abundance of Vibrio in water and oysters, a natural bacteria that can cause human illness and negatively impacts the aquaculture industry. They also study fish diseases, marine mammal mortality, and the federally endangered Atlantic sturgeon. The lab works on an array of projects, from oyster restoration to evaluating nature-based solutions like living shorelines.

Scientific capabilities at the lab are diverse and include expertise in field ecology, advanced underwater acoustic technologies, histopathology, fish health, marine mammal and sea turtle stranding response, ecological assessments, ecological forecasting, quantifying ecosystem services, advanced omics technologies, research to enhance preparedness and recovery in the face of coastal change, and research of novel methods to improve restoration and resilience practices.

Areas of Focus

Ecological & Biogeographic Assessments

Aquaculture: Ecosystem Services and Sustainability

Biological Effects of Contaminants and Nutrients

Vulnerability, Mitigation, and Restoration

Social Science

Partnerships: Moving Forward Together

COL is a partnership between NOAA, the Maryland Department of Natural Resources and the USCG Station Oxford. COL partners combine science, response, and management capabilities to meet respective missions and collaborate to address science and management challenges.

Featured Projects

Oyster Sanctuary and Monitoring Station

At the end of the pier at COL, you will find Maryland’s first designated oyster sanctuary, created in 1961 to support the lab’s oyster research needs. Today, the sanctuary continues to support large-scale oyster restoration efforts and oyster research, including techniques and tools that enhance our understanding of oyster growth and settlement preferences.

The pier is also home to an National Data Buoy Center monitoring station, which provides near real-time water quality data and tidal monitoring.

Find Out More | Monitoring Station Data

Pathogen Forecasting

Since 2005, NCCOS’ Oxford Lab has worked with federal, state, and academic partners to forecast where and when pathogens are most likely to be found in the Chesapeake Bay, based on the salinity and temperature of the water. When pathogens are present, cooking shellfish and washing open wounds after contact with coastal waters will decrease the risk of infection and illness. Public health officials use our forecasts to target public safety messages and monitoring.

View Pathogen Forecast

About the Cooperative Oxford Laboratory

COL was originally established by the U.S. Bureau of Commercial Fisheries in 1960 for the primary purpose of investigating oyster diseases that had struck Chesapeake and Delaware Bays. The facility became the Cooperative Oxford Laboratory in 1987 through an agreement between NOAA and the Maryland Department of Natural Resources to share the facility and cooperate in research. Today, the facility is home to laboratory and office spaces, wet labs with flowing estuarine water, research vessels, and quarantine facilities.