EDUCATION AND TRAINING

BRC can provide aquaculture training for existing employees and groups interested in getting into shellfish culture such as individuals, communities and First Nations Groups (see below). We are equally comfortable working in the classroom with our extensive collection of existing resource materials or providing hands on experience in field situations. As a result of our extensive experience and speaking skills, we are often called on to present at conferences and meetings and happily tailor our presentations to the level of the audience.

Our emphasis is to combine extensive academic and real-world practical knowledge appropriate to the needs of the audience in a format that works with their location and ability to attend training. BRC can provide training based on our existing resources or develop curriculum specific to the needs of individuals or groups.

Areas where have provided training include:

• Introductory seminars to large groups
• Specialized seminars to existing industry
• Seminars and training sessions in remote coastal communities
• Introductory and advanced multi-day training in First Nations communities
• Placements at commercial shellfish operations
• Farm tours at a variety of sites within the existing shellfish aquaculture industry
• Development of Aquaculture Training Curriculum for Malaspina University College

Training we have delivered has included, but not been limited to:

• Introductions and overviews of shellfish culture
• Shellfish culture techniques and technology transfer
• Site selection and survey techniques
• Stock assessment and inventory control, statistics for farmers
• Shellfish Safety and Quality Assurance overviews and techniques
• Introductions to HACCP
• Overview of regulatory programs such as the Canadian Shellfish Sanitation Program
• Environmental management systems
• Environmental sampling
• Remote Setting

First Nations Specific Training

Blue Revolution staff have conducted a variety of First Nations training course ranging from one day seminars to month long intensive training programs. Our classes are custom designed for each situation and can be delivered in local communities or from central locations such as Nanaimo. In our courses, both a First Nations and western perspective are taught and discussed. As a result, our courses are unique, culturally based, and emphasize the importance of including First Nations knowledge of the aquaculture as it pertains to their specific community.

Typically mornings are spent in a classroom setting and provide participants with background theory. Course are taught by taught by Blue Revolution technical staff with input and lectures from senior partners as required. Field trips and exercises are essential to provide participants with direct observational and “hands-on” experience of shellfish aquaculture. Afternoons typically entail site visits to production facilities to provide participants with a look at all the different sectors of the industry such as hatcheries, nurseries, grow-out operations, and processing, as well as experiencing operations of different scale and production intensity. Techniques including site assessment, laboratory procedures, environmental monitoring, and stock assessment techniques are incorporated as required by specific training programs.

“NEW” First Nations Youth Shellfish Educational Program

This is a five-day introductory level course which provides a basic theoretical and technical introduction to the key components of shellfish farming technology and husbandry. This course is designed for youth who have shown interest in aquaculture and young community members who have taken a vested interest in aquaculture in their community. The course is similar to the one we currently run for adults, however there will are adjustments made to reflect the needs of our younger participants.

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