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Networks & Partnerships

To fulfil its mandate to support the growth of the BC shellfish aquaculture industry, the CSR has engaged in collaborative R&D and educational partnerships with industry, communities, government and post-secondary institutions.

During its brief history, the CSR has already coordinated four important shellfish aquaculture workshops designed to foster collaborative initiatives. (Please see Publications for PDF copies of workshop reports)

  • Shellfish Aquaculture Visioning Workshop (2002)
  • Shellfish Aquaculture Mortality Workshop (2003)
  • BC Shellfish Aquaculture R&D Priority Setting Process Workshop (2005)
  • First Nations Shellfish Aquaculture Workshop (2005)

By drawing together a unique and broad group of shellfish aquaculture stakeholders, each of these workshop fostered key collaborative industry planning and research initiatives.

Through these workshops – as well as other activities - the CSR has demonstrated its ability to facilitate and catalyze cooperation among the three traditional pillars of the Canadian economy: industry and business; universities and colleges; and government.

As a result of its success as a catalyst, the CSR is recognized as a vibrant example of a 4 th Pillar organization. The federal government – as well as a number of Canada 's industry and business leaders – have clearly emphasized the importance of 4 th Pillar organizations such as the CSR in stimulating the innovation necessary to improve Canada 's competitiveness.

Collaboration with Post-Secondary Educational Institutions

Research partners and collaborators in the post-secondary system include:

  • Vancouver Island University
    • Centre for Coastal Health
    • Institute for Coastal Studies
    • Department of Biology
    • Department of Chemistry
    • Department of Political Science
    • Department of Recreation and Tourism Management
    • Department of Fisheries and Aquaculture
  • University of British Columbia
    • Centre for Aquaculture and the Environment
  • Oregon State University
    • Hatfield Marine Laboratory
  • University of Victoria
    • Environmental Law Centre
  • Dalhousie University
  • University of Windsor
  • North Island College
  • Northwest Community College
  • McGill University

Collaboration with Industry

The CSR enjoys strong collaborative relationships from the main industry sector associations and industry-related business. In addition to direct contributions to CSR research projects, industry in-kind contributions include nursery and grow-out systems devoted to research studies, use of boats and floats, and contributions by farm personnel.

Cortes Island shellfish farmers

Debbie Paltzat, recent M.Sc graduate, received research assistance from Cortes Island shellfish farmers, Marcel Creurer and partner Julia Rendall.

Collaboration with Funding Agencies

Funding agencies play a pivotal role in all activities of the CSR – as well as in the overall development of the BC shellfish aquaculture industry. The CSR acknowledges and appreciates the contributions of our many funding partners listed below:

  • BC Aquaculture Research & Development Committee
  • AquaNet
  • Aquaculture Collaborative Research & Development Committee
  • Western Economic Diversification Canada
  • Canada Foundation for Innovation
  • Fisheries and Oceans Canada
  • Natural Sciences & Engineering Research Council
  • National Research Council – Industrial Research Assistance Program
  • BC Knowledge Development Fund
  • Indian and Northern Affairs Canada
  • Ministry of Economic Development
  • BC Agriculture and Lands
  • Sustainable Resource Management
  • Office of the Commissioner for Aquaculture Development
  • BC Real Estate Foundation
  • Canada Research Chairs Program
  • Advanced Systems Institute
  • Service Canada
  • Mid Island Science and Technology Innovation Council