The Process of Shellfish Aquaculture

Shellfish aquaculture, also known as shellfish farming, is the cultivation of shellfish such as oysters, clams, mussels, and scallops. The process begins by producing larvae in hatcheries, then moving them to nurseries, and finally transferring them to grow-outsites that may be directly on the sea

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bed or suspended in the water using rafts or longlines[1]. The many positive aspects to shellfish aquaculture include the benefits to the natural ecosystem, the benefits to the local economies, and the remarkable sustainability of the overall process with respect to the environment.

Environmental Benefits of Shellfish Aquaculture

Unlike other types of aquaculture, cultured shellfish aquaculture has been one of the few industries that have a proven positive effect on the health of the ecosystem in which they exist. The Audubon Society, the Monterey Bay Aquarium’s Seafood Watch, and Ecofish Research, all ecological leaders using an evidence-based approach, agree that shellfish aquaculture contributes to environmental health [2]. Shellfish feed at the bottom of the food chain by filtering plankton and organic particles from the water. These critical ecological functions prevent a process called eutriphication by removing excess nutrients such as nitrogen and phosphorus.

The Problem of Eutrophication

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Integrated Multi-Trophic Aquaculture (IMTA)

In a move towards further increasing the positive effects of shellfish cultivation on the biodiversity and health of the environment, an approach called Integrated Multi-Trophic Aquaculture (IMTA) can be incorporated into the process. This approach combines the farming of shellfish with farming other species such as fish or seaweed to create an environment with symbiotic relationships where nutrients from the organisms are created and shared amongst themselves. Some shellfish farming projects can also have multiple uses including providing habitats for other organisms, stabilizing the seabed and preventing erosion, or the balancing of natural populations – all alongside farming practices [4]. For these reasons, shellfish aquaculture is known to play a vital role in ecosystem health.

Economic Benefits of Shellfish Aquaculture

The positive effects of shellfish aquaculture on local economies cannot be understated. As the global population grows exponentially, the demand for seafood grows as well. While both seafood capture and cultivation practices have come under well-deserved scrutiny in the past decades, shellfish cultivation deserves to be viewed through an entirely different lens. Bivalve shellfish feed entirely on naturally occurring particles and therefore, nothing is added to the environment in which they grow. Their waste is returned to the environment and falls to the seabed to become food for worms or crustaceans that feed on it, which in turn, feed and increase fish populations. The operating cost of this cultivation can stay quite low while also improving the growth of other food sources for humans. Such a marine environment, particularly in rural areas, leads to an increase in tourism and employment in an otherwise economically depressed area [2].

Historical Perspective and Legislation of Shellfish Aquaculture in BC

In the mid 1900s on the West Coast, the native Olympia oyster came close to extinction due to a combination of toxic waste from pulp mills and over-harvesting. During this time, shellfish farmers introduced the Japanese oyster to the area which saved the industry from destruction. Having seen first-hand how crucial a healthy environment and a balance of biodiversity is for the area, oyster farmers have been pioneers in legislation protecting these environments on the West Coast and save their industry [2].

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Farmers have several options for structures used in shellfish farming – all of which are not destructivebut rather enhance existing habitats and prevent erosion. These structures are comprised of lines, trays, rafts, and nets which can either be suspended above the seabed or provide structure and habitats for other organisms on the seabed. The structures are not moved the way fishing lines or nets are, meaning that there is no disturbance to the environment. Farming methods require the structure to only be moved during harvest time while wild harvesters will disrupt the same area many times [2].

The ‘Supertray’ Shellfish Grow-Out System: The Ideal Sustainable Oyster/Shellfish Farming Tool

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Conclusion

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References

1. Stevens, Craig, et al. “The Physics of Open-Water Shellfish Aquaculture.” Aquacultural Engineering, vol. 38, no. 3, 2008, pp. 145-160. ScienceDirect, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.aquaeng.2008.01.006.

2. Shumway, Sandra E., et al. “Shellfish aquaculture–in praise of sustainable economies and environments.” World aquaculture 34.4 (2003): 8-10.

3. Shumway, Sandra E., ed. Shellfish aquaculture and the environment. John Wiley & Sons, 2011.

4. OECD/Thierry Chopin. “Integrated Multi-Trophic Aquaculture.” Advancing the Aquaculture Agenda: Workshop Proceedings, OECD Publishing, 2010, Paris. OECD Publishing, https://doi.org/10.1787/9789264088726-15-en.