News & Events

It is with great pleasure that the Centre for Shellfish Research is releasing a preliminary discussion draft of the Shared Hatchery Feasibility Study for general consultation, discussion and input. This is a follow-up to the general consultation meeting that was held with stakeholders earlier this year. This project has been supported by the BC Ministry of Agriculture and Lands and the Centre for Shellfish Research is grateful for their support in funding to look for options as to how the British Columbia shellfish farming industry can create solutions to what has become a crisis in seed supply.

This draft discussion document of preliminary findings has been released to obtain further feedback and consultation on this issue. Please note that it is a DRAFT and may be subject to significant revision and addition as this study completes. Please forward comments to Brian Kingzett at the Centre for Shellfish Research.

VIU receives more than $400,000 towards shellfish research

Dr. Ralph Nilson, President of VIU, Dr. Helen Gurney-Smith, MP James Lunney and Brian Kingzett, Manager, Deep Bay Field Site, CSR after the announcement.

Vancouver Island University will expand existing research capacity at the Centre for Shellfish Research by establishing a Shellfish Genomics Laboratory thanks to an investment by the Government of Canada through Western Economic Diversification Canada.

Federal funding of more than $400,000 was announced today by James Lunney, Member of Parliament for Nanaimo—Alberni, on behalf of the Honourable Rona Ambrose, President of the Queen’s Privy Council for Canada, Minister of Intergovernmental Affairs and Minister of Western Economic Diversification, toward the establishment of a Shellfish Genomics Laboratory at the Centre for Shellfish Research, Vancouver Island University.

“Our Government’s contribution to this project will ensure Canadians are at the leading-edge of shellfish aquaculture,” said MP Lunney. “Shellfish aquaculture has significant economic potential for coastal communities, and this project will be the first of its kind in British Columbia.”

The funding will support and enhance shellfish genomics research capacity in B.C. through the acquisition and installation of genomic science equipment that will examine biological and environmental stress factors inherent in shellfish. read more

Malaspina and DFO Team up to Develop New Shellfish Aquaculture Species

From left to right: Dr. Wenshan Liu Edith Billington, Dr. Helen Gurney-Smith, Dr. Chris Pearce (Department of Fisheries and Oceans), Amanda Beerens, Simon Yuan.

Research scientists from the Malaspina University-College Centre for Shellfish Research (CSR) and the Marine Ecosystems and Aquaculture Division of DFO have teamed up with industry and First Nations to undertake the development of the native cockle, Clinocardium nuttalii.

“Native cockles are found from California to Alaska and grow on the lower intertidal area of sand and mud beaches around the 1-3 foot tide level” says Don Tillapaugh, Director of the CSR. “They are bivalve molluscs (like clams) and have very attractive shells with pronounced ridges. A First Nations Elder once told me that aboriginal people have prized cockles for centuries as a preferred food from ‘Mother Nature’s refrigerator’. I really don’t have a good explanation of why cockles have not been grown as an aquaculture species in the past in BC, but there is genuine commercial and First Nations interest now as demand increases for sustainable seafood products” says Tillapaugh.

Tillapaugh goes on to explain that “developing a new aquaculture species is a multi-faceted process. We have assembled a research advisory committee consisting of shellfish farmers and shellfish scientists and we are undertaking the development of this new species in a systematic and collaborative way – making the best use of everyone’s expertise and funding”. read more

First Nations Community Science Celebration

Stephanie Richards, an administrative coordinator at the CSR, working the booth at the community science celebration

Stephanie Richards, Administrative Coordinator at the CSR, at the Community Science Celebration.

The Centre for Shellfish Research (CSR) and the Fisheries and Aquaculture Program at Malaspina Unviersity-College participated in the first ever First Nations community science celebration on Dec. 1 and 2.

The event was hosted by the Chemainus First Nation in partnership with Snuneymuxw First Nations, MISTIC and Vancouver Science World, and was aimed at helping local kids discover the science all around them.

At the CSR /Fisheries and Aquaculture booth, students had the opportunity to learn about the upcoming Summer Youth Leadership Program, view live sturgeon and trout, explore a touch tank with various species of invertebrates (oysters, mussels, green urchins, sea cucumbers and sea stars), try their hand at fishing in the fish pond for prizes, test their knowledge of their native language by matching names to various species of shellfish and enter our draw to win great educational science-oriented prizes.

Vancouver Island University along with Genome BC, BC Hydro, NRC and Coast Salish exhibitors, to name a few, were among the presenters who participated. Educational booths covered subjects such as aquaculture and fish health, forensics, robotics, astronomy, traditional food and to other topics to help blend cultural teachings with the innovation of science as a means of inspiring and engaging preschoolers and children from kindergarten to grade seven to embrace science.

The event was well attended and received a really great response from the community.

Malaspina Reaches to Haida Gwaii with Shellfish Training

18 students representing nine First Nation communities ranging from Rivers Inlet in the central coast to Haida Gwaii in the north arrived at Vancouver Island University excited and eager to begin training for shellfish farming careers. They are the first wave in the development of a First Nations led shellfish aquaculture industry in the North Coast of British Columbia.

Staff of the Malaspina Centre for Shellfish Research has been working hard to provide a custom training program tailored to meet their unique needs. The 53 days of training program will take place between September 2007 and May 2008 and encompass 11 aquaculture courses and 1 marine safety course. Training will occur both at Malaspina and in Prince Rupert. read more

CSR Grad Student Wins Prestigious National Award

Soleil Switzer, a 2004 graduate of VIU's Biology Department, has been awarded a post-graduate scholarship from the Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada (NSERC).

The two-year NSERC Industrial Post-graduate Scholarship will fund Soleil's Master of Science research, which she commenced in September 2006 at the University of British Columbia and Malaspina’s Centre for Shellfish Research (CSR). These scholarships provide financial support for highly qualified science and engineering graduates, allowing them to gain research experience in industry while undertaking advanced studies in Canada. read more

CSR Welcomes New Staff

The CSR is pleased to announce the appointment of Dr. Helen Gurney-Smith as the Head of the Shellfish Health and Husbandry Research Program.

Click here to read more about Dr. Helen Gurney-Smith

CSR Receives Funding for First Nations Shellfish Aquaculture Training

Three years ago, realizing the emerging interest in shellfish farming by First Nations and knowing the importance of trained workers as the foundation for business success, the Province supported the development of the First Nations Shellfish Aquaculture Training (FNSAT) program.

On Monday, April 10th, 2006, the Provincial Government again showed their leadership by providing the CSR with $2.25 million to fund a 5-year training initiative. The funding will be used to reach out to First Nations communities coast-wide to coordinate, facilitate and deliver the FNSAT training. The 16 courses, which range from beach management to business management, will be critical to First Nations business success.

Read more in the Background Factsheet PDF.

Press Release

From left to right, Ron Cantelon (MLA), Chief Shawn Atleo (Assembly of First Nations) and Richard Johnston (Former President, Malaspina) unveil poster announcing funding to the CSR.

Minister of Aboriginal Relations and Reconciliation tours CSR

On Thursday, March 2, Tom Christensen, Minister of Aboriginal Relations and Reconciliation, along with Joan Dick, Ministerial Assistant and Siona Rounis Executive Assistant paid a visit to the Centre for Shellfish Research.

As the CSR’s programs and initiatives align with many of the goals of the Ministry, Minister Christensen was interested to learn first hand about shellfish aquaculture. Aware of the coast-wide interest among First Nations to become involved in shellfish aquaculture, he was encouraged by what the CSR is doing – both in research and training - to support the success of First Nations shellfish aqua/businesses.

Minister Christensen

Minister Christensen examines a geoduck while touring the CSR research facility in Nanaimo, BC.

R&D Priority Setting Workshop Series

To clarify and prioritize research and development needs, the CSR has recently completed a series of R&D priority setting workshops. Results from the series of three workshops will be used to write a strategic R&D plan for the industry.

At each series of workshops, a broad range of stakeholders provided a stimulating balance of perspectives and opinions. Participants included farmers, processors, the research community, environmental organizations and representatives of funding agencies. Many thanks to those who took the time to attend and actively participate in setting priorities for industry research and development.

Please click here for a Draft Summary of the final workshop held November 30th at the Coast Bastion Hotel in Nanaimo. Responses and comments from all stakeholders are encouraged. If you didn’t get a chance to attend the workshop, this is your chance to weigh in on the results.

Highlights from the Workshops

The first workshop, held on April 28th, featured break out groups dealing with five broad industry-wide issues. These issues/topics were:

Animal Science (Health, Husbandry & Genetics)
New Technology/Techniques
Product Development/Marketing
Environmental Interactions
Food Safety/Trade Issues (e.g. CSSP, biotoxins, cadmium)

During May and June, a series of species-specific workshops were held to determine the R&D priorities of the major shellfish species in BC (oysters, clams, mussels, geoduck, scallops & echinoderms). At each workshop, production constraints at the hatchery, nursery and grow-out stages were discussed - and research projects were identified to answer questions and address constraints. Information from these workshops will assist in the development of a strategic plan for each species.

The final workshop of the three-staged process was held on November 30th at the Coast Bastion Hotel in Nanaimo. Prior to this workshop, organizers at the CSR analyzed and cross matched the ‘industry wide’ and ‘species specific’ R&D needs from the first two workshops to determine areas of overlap. The analysis resulted in five major themes, eighteen research goals and over eighty potential research projects. The wide range of themes, goals and activities provided the basis for discussion and priority setting at the November 30th workshop.

Some conclusions were immediately evident at the workshop: the two themes receiving the highest level of stakeholder interest and support were Environmental Interactions and Animal Science.

The workshop agenda also included presentations from two guest speakers: Bill Dewey, Manager of Public Affairs for Taylor Shellfish and Cory Galbraith, President of Galbraith Communications in Ottawa.

Bill Dewey shared his experiences of developing a strategic R&D plan for the Pacific Shellfish Institute (PSI) - a Washington State organization similar to the CSR. According to Bill, one of the main advantages of having an R&D strategic plan is that it provides industry with a document for distribution to various research institutions, granting entities and government agencies. Distribution of the PSI R&D document has resulted in expanded awareness of the Washington State industry’s needs and priorities - which in turn has resulted in increased funding for many shellfish related projects. Bill also gave an update on some recently completed PSI research projects.

Cory Galbraith addressed the group via webcast on the topic of “Virtual Communication that Works”. Cory, who works with a number of different farm organizations in Canada, demonstrated web video conferencing and indicated that it is a new communication system that farmers are beginning to embrace.

A recent study in Iowa of 1,000 beginning farmers found that most would rather receive information verbally rather than in printed form. For farmers in remote areas, the ability to communicate with other people in real time helps remove the sense of isolation. Not only that, but it also allows them to save money otherwise spent on travel and accommodation to attend workshops.

The series of three workshops were successful in bringing industry stakeholders together to discuss current research needs and priorities for shellfish aquaculture in BC.

CSR takes ownership of land for future Field Site

In December, 2005, Vancouver Island University (VIU) took legal ownership of a 7 acre waterfront parcel in Deep Bay, BC. The property is the site of the future Shellfish Aquaculture Research and Training farm, which will be used as a platform to field test CSR research results, as well as for training, technology development and public education. As well, VIU has received foreshore tenures for a site in Deep Bay and another near Rosewall Creek. Operating shellfish farms will be developed on both tenures for demonstration and training purposes.

Land Transfer

Don Tillapaugh, front left, and Malaspina President Rich Johnston, back right, gratefully accepted a seven-acre waterfront property donation made to the CSR by Deep Bay Ownership Group members Eric Netzer, front right, John Casanave, back left, and Dan McCormack.

Dr. Barnes offers course on Marine Biodiversity and Conservation

In the fall of 2005, Dr. Penny Barnes offered a new undergraduate course through the Department of Fisheries and Aquaculture at Vancouver Island University. The course – entitled FISH 420: Marine Biodiversity and Conservation – covered topics including defining/measuring biodiversity; the role of biodiversity in functioning of marine ecosystems; the relationship between biodiversity and conservation.

Lea Menzies

Lea Menzies, Fisheries and Aquaculture student, enrolled in Marine Biodiversity and Conservation course.

CSR initiates cockle project

Cockles The CSR has initiated a project to develop techniques for producing seed for the basket cockle (Clinocardium nuttalli). Under the direction of Dr. Helen Gurney-Smith, this project will undertake research into all life cycle stages.

The overall research project structure is a coast-wide research collaborative partnership involving the CSR, Department of Fisheries and Oceans, research consultants, industry members and First Nations.

Dr. Wenshan Liu has accepted a post doctoral fellowship position, under Dr. Gurney-Smith, to lead the cockle broodstock maturation and spawning project. Funding has been provided by Fisheries and Ocean’s through the Aquaculture Collaborative Research and Development Program. Please click here if you want more information on Dr.Wenshan Liu and his cockle research project.

The broodstock maturation project will be geared towards obtaining a consistent supply of high quality gametes. The experiments will examine the effects of temperature on metabolic rates, determine the Biological Zero Point and Effective Accumulative Temperatures for gonad development as well as the effect of food type and concentration on broodstock maturation and gamete quality.

First CSR supported graduate student completes degree

The CSR is pleased to announce that Debbie Paltzat successfully completed her M.Sc in December 2005. Dr. Scott McKinley, Center for Aquaculture and Environmental Research from UBC was Debbie’s direct supervisor while Dr. Penny Barnes, CSR, sponsored Debbie for the duration of her research.

Debbie’s project is titled: Biological feasibility of suspended Pacific oyster (Crassostrea gigas Thunberg) and California sea cucumber (Parastichopus californicus Stimpson) polyculture.

The project examined the growth potential of California sea cucumbers when in polyculture with suspended oysters. In addition, the potential for this polyculture to reduce the effects of biodeposition at oyster culture sites was also studied.

Debbie Paltzat

From left to right, Debbie Paltzat and Vancouver Island University students during research field trip to oyster farm in Gorge Harbour.

Milestones

Following are some of the major events that have helped shape the development of the CSR. For more information, please check our Press Release section.

October, 2001: The Centre for Shellfish Research is established
2001: Mr. Don Tillapaugh is appointed as Director of the Centre for Shellfish Research at Vancouver Island University (VIU)
May 1, 2003: Dr. Penny Barnes is appointed as Head of the Ecological Interactions Research Program
October 2004: Centre for Shellfish Research officially opens. The building is dedicated to the late Dr. Quayle and Dr. Neil Bourne.

Brian Kingzett and Bill Pennell unveil CSR dedication plaque

Brian Kingzett and Bill Pennell unveil CSR dedication plaque. On hand to accept dedication is Moura Quayle (Dr. Quayle's daughter) and Dr. Neil Bourne

August 1, 2004: Dr. Penny Barnes is appointed as Canada Research Chair in Sustainable Shellfish Aquaculture – becoming VIU's first Canada Research Chair.
July 2003: With funding support provided by BCARDC, Dr. Barnes initiates the Shellfish Culture and Particulate Matter Production and Cycling . This study is the first of it kind in BC – and becomes the ‘signature project' of the CSR.
November, 2004: B.C. Knowledge Network Leading Edge Program profiles the CSR and Dr. Barnes' research investigations including the Particulate Matter Study; Biodiversity; and Polyculture projects
March 2005: CSR appoints Ruth Salmon to the position of Communication Manager
March 2005: CSR receives $252,000 from Western Economic Partnership Agreement for expansion of Nanaimo research facility
July, 2005: Dr. Abayomi (Yomi) Alabi is appointed Research Manager of the newly created Shellfish Health and Husbandry Research Program
December, 2005: Debbie Paltzat becomes first CSR sponsored student to graduate with M.Sc.
February 2006: VIU takes ownership of 7 acre waterfront property on which to build the Deep Bay Field Site