Shellfish farming

Intensive fencing on shellfish farms may change the intertidal zone and impede fish passage

The last hundred years have seen a dramatic increase in the scale and intensity of commercial shellfish operations along Canada’s West Coast.

Today, over 460 commercial shellfish farming leases are held up and down the B.C. coast. As consumer demand for seafood increases, the industry is only expected to grow.

However, there is some cause for concern as this industry intensifies. Simply put, the necessary science and research into the environmental effects of shellfish farming have yet to be completed – or, in some cases, even started.

In response to these concerns, the David Suzuki Foundation released Sustainable Shellfish – Recommendations for sustainable aquaculture early in 2005. This guide points to some of the potentially harmful effects of shellfish farming, underscores the need for rigorous regulation and monitoring, and proposes solutions for farmers and policy makers on how to develop a more sustainable industry.

Full report / Executive summary

Sustainable Shellfish outlines 9 key recommendations for a sustainable shellfish industry:

1. Ensure that anti-predator netting does not impact birds or other marine life;

2. Undertake more studies on phytoplankton depletion;

3. Stop the introduction of new alien species for commercial purposes;

4. Undertake rigorous cadmium testing and research before allowing expansion of oyster farms;

5. Prevent fisheries act violations by tightening existing regulations;

6. Suspend or revoke the licenses of farmers who contravene existing regulations;

7. Apply rigorous scientific assessment before siting new farms;

8. Prohibit further industry expansion until adequate scientific studies (including cumulative effect studies) have been completed;

9. Incorporate ecosystem health into all future shellfish aquaculture plans.

A less-intensive shellfish farm on the BC coast.

Take action!
If you are concerned about the lack of science and research into the effects of intesive shellfish aquaculture on the B.C. coast, contact the Honourable Pat Bell, Minister of Agriculture and Lands at pat.bell.mla@leg.bc.ca