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Environmental safeguards needed to guide expanding shellfish industry, says David Suzuki FoundationFebruary 17, 2005 - VANCOUVER - If the B.C. government intends to double the amount of crown land available for commercial shellfish farming by 2008, it must provide more stringent and meaningful environmental safeguards, says a new report from the David Suzuki Foundation. "Sustainable Shellfish - A guide to responsible aquaculture" by David Suzuki Foundation scientist Heather Deal was released today at a conference of the Air and Waste Management Association in Victoria. It outlines some of the main ecological concerns with shellfish farming, which include the impacts of cultivating alien species in B.C. waters, the effects of monocultures in areas of high biodiversity, the impacts of shellfish farming on other species, and the harmful effects which aquaculture-related human activities have on beaches and in the marine environment. "Global demand for seafood is increasing, and so is the intensity and scale of commercial shellfish farming," says Heather Deal. "B.C.’s coast is on the front line of this industry expansion - but unfortunately, the environment is not at the top of the regulatory agenda." As Sustainable Shellfish went to press, the B.C. Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Fisheries (MAFF) pulled their draft Code of Practice for Shellfish Aquaculture from circulation, rendering it redundant, and switching to a complaints-driven system by which to manage the industry. Although there is legislation in place, there are no longer government standards or guidelines specific to this industry. "If carried out responsibly, this industry can grow in a sustainable way, and continue to provide benefits to coastal communities," says Heather Deal. "But for this to happen, the government must enforce existing regulations and provide stronger and more meaningful safeguards for the marine environment. As it stands, government management plans are designed to maximize product and profit, potentially at the expense of the marine environment." Sustainable Shellfish also points to the need for more research and analysis as the industry expands, and concludes with a series of operational tips and recommendations for shellfish farmers and policy makers. It can be downloaded on the David Suzuki Foundation website at www.davidsuzuki.org/publications. For more information, contact: Jennifer Brown
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