Futureproofing Seafood Production on the British Columbia Coast

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North Island College has proposed four projects in support of shellfish and kelp aquaculture producers in British Columbia. BC's seafood sector harvested over 100,000 tonnes of seafood directly from aquaculture. One of the most commercially important shellfish species is the Pacific Oyster. Enhancing survivorship of this species at a young age, without any additional inputs into the water (food, pharmaceuticals, etc), is important. To do so, Rising Tide Shellfish has designed a prototype nursery habitat that reduces the time oysters are removed from the water and enhances juvenile growth and survivorship by reducing stress.Because of their small size, microplastics may be accidentally eaten by shellfish, and subsequently humans, as we eat the delicacy. It is therefore important to determine how plastic materials such as Vexar and PVC, currently used in BC shellfish farming, interact with farmed animals. North Island College will assess oysters for microplastics at two sites - Quadra Island and Barkley Sound.Shellfish are particularly vulnerable to ocean acidification from carbon dioxide. Ocean Sensors help us to monitor changing ocean conditions and allow shellfish growers to effectively manage aquaculture operations. These sensors are often expensive. In this project, an ocean acidification sensor package will be acquired that allows us to compare established sensors with new low-cost sensors to help futureproof this important region of Canada.Kelp is an emerging species in BC, and responsible aquaculture of kelp can provide economic opportunities. In this project, NIC and the Kwiakah First Nation will assess different kelp growth configurations and the impacts of seaweed harvest timing to determine the optimal commercial yield and inform the amount of kelp needed to leave in-situ for habitat purposes.