Installment of Anti-Predator Netting to Improve Oyster Seed Survival

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Han Pacific Shellfish Ltd. is a small, family-owned shellfish farm near Denman Island, British Columbia. Inrecent years their oysters have not made it to the market due to unusual ocean conditions and devastatingpredation of their small oyster seed, mostly by crabs. Though ocean conditions are uncontrollable andincreasingly unpredictable, installing anti-predator nets and/or bags around the vulnerable oysters has beensuccessful in some areas to decrease losses due to predation. We propose installing different types ofanti-predator netting at Han Pacific Shellfish Ltd. specifically designed for long-term life in the ocean, todetermine which product(s) might be most effective and to adapt the existing products to suit the localconditions, as necessary. Net condition and oyster survival will be monitored by the farm staff and by the NorthIsland College research team, with net repairs/adjustments made as necessary. This project would provideimmediate and long-term benefits for Han Pacific Shellfish Ltd. by allowing more of their products to make itto consumers. In addition, valuable experience will be gained by student assistants who desire hands-ontraining in the shellfish aquaculture industry. We hope that this project will encourage further partnershipsbetween North Island College and small-scale aquaculture companies, who often have no or very limitedfinancial means for internal research and development.