Shellfish Aquaculture

The commercial culture of the Pacific oyster can be traced back to 1912, when it was first introduced from the Far East. Since then, the European oyster, the Manila and littleneck clam, the Japanese scallop, the blue and Gallo mussel, and, most recently, the geoduck have also been added to the inventory of shellfish species found on farms in British Columbia.

New shellfish aquaculture species are being explored and many provide high-value products. The spot prawn and giant rock scallop have been cultivated on an experimental basis. Abalone, sea cucumber and sea urchin are other species which are being cultured experimentally.

Typical Shellfish Rafts
Typical Shellfish Longlines

Marine shellfish farms are primarily located on the west coast of Vancouver Island and around the Georgia Basin, with major concentrations in the Baynes Sound, Cortes Island and Okeover Inlet areas.

• List of Current Shellfish Aquaculture Sites

• Shellfish Aquaculture Statistics

• Map of Shellfish Aquaculture Sites in B.C.

• Shellfish Equipment Tagging Program for Baynes Sound

Publications

• Geoduck Aquaculture: Estimated Costs and Returns for
  Sub-tidal Culture in B.C.

• West Coast Vancouver Island Shellfish Development Project

• North Island Straits Shellfish Aquaculture Barriers and Constraints Study

• First Nations Shellfish Aquaculture Regional Business Strategy - BC Central and North Coast

Links

• Coastal Resource Information Management System (internet-based interactive map for viewing coastal and marine data, including shellfish and finfish farm sites)

• Fisheries & Oceans Canada Shellfish Closures (paralytic shellfish poisoning and sanitary contamination closures)

• Commercial Harvest of Varnish Clams

  • Notice to Shellfish Farming Industry

• Shellfish Site Capability GIS Data (ftp site)

• Aquaculture Opportunity Studies and Coastal Planning

• Maps for the Baynes Sound Shellfish Action Plan

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Updated: 17 November 2006