SHELLFISH

Shellfish are one type of invertebrate (animals that do not have a backbone or spinal column) that have been successfully domesticated through aquaculture practice. Bivalve shellfish (animal with two shells like mussels, clams and oysters) are the predominant type of shellfish grown by Canadian aquaculture operators.

The licenced operator owns the stock that is raised, but leases an approved area from the province in which they operate. Shellfish farmers do not feed their stock. Shellfish are filter feeders that consume the nutrients they need that already exist in the water. The stock is regularly replenished, nurtured, protected from predators, monitored and harvested by the farmer when the product reaches market size.

In Canada, there are six main species of bivalve shellfish that are cultured commercially.  Shellfish are grown in Prince Edward Island, Quebec, Newfoundland and British Columbia. New species are being researched for their potential for wide-scale, commercial production, such as abalone, geoducks, quahogs and sea urchins, and are in the experimental stages of development.

In 2004, there were 35,500 tonnes of shellfish produced, valued at $63.5 million.

SPECIES

• Why farm fish and seafood?

• Types of shellfish raised in Canada

AQUACULTURE AND …

• Environmental Performance
• Scientific Research
• Food Safety and Nutrition

KEY ISSUES

• Aquatic Invasive Species: Tunicates and Mussels and MSX and oysters

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

Last Updated : 2006-06-28

Important Notices