SHELLFISH CULTURE AND PARTICULATE MATTER PRODUCTION AND CYCLING FIELD PROGRAM

CENTRE FOR SHELLFISH RESEARCH

This project was initiated by the Centre for Shellfish Research at Malaspina University-College to determine the fate of the particulate material produced by cultured bivalves in deep water culture. Brian Kingzett contributed to initial project design and our team was retained by the Centre to lead the field aspects of this project operating the newly constructed CSR research vessel “MV. Atrevida”. Our team successfully coordinated and completed four field trips working at commercial shellfish operations in the Quadra and Cortes Island Regions.

This intensive study entailed a combination of benthic sampling techniques based on Ministry of Water Land and Air Protection monitoring protocols, intensive oceanographic monitoring, sedimentation studies, underwater video, and biodiversity studies. In addition to the scientific investigation this study provided an important training opportunity for students in the Malaspina Fisheries and Aquaculture program.