Funding for Deep Bay shellfish field station announced

Lake Cowichan, B.C. – W.J. (Jack) Peake, Chair of the Island Coastal Economic Trust (Trust), today announced funding approval of $1,000,000 for the Deep Bay Field Station, to be built and managed by the Malaspina University-College’s Centre for Shellfish Research. The total cost of this project is estimated around $8,000,000. 

“The Trust’s financial commitment for $1,000,000 to the Deep Bay Shellfish Station signals our strong support for this facility.  I understand that the Centre has already obtained commitment of $3,300,000 towards the project goal of $8,000,000. The Trust’s commitment will send a strong signal to other potential funding partners that Vancouver Island and the Sunshine Coast endorses this economic development project so it can proceed into construction in the very near future. The Field Station responds to the Trust’s mandate to invest in agriculture and aquaculture, with the latter having a potential of becoming a $100 million industry in the future,” stated Jack Peake. 

Don Tillapaugh, Director for the Centre for Shellfish Research, indicates that the Deep Bay Field Station will play a pivotal role in achieving this economic potential and creating 1,000 new jobs.  “By clustering social, educational, economic, environmental, and scientific programming into one unique, world-class facility, we hope to create a centre of excellence and innovation that achieves general acceptance for the shellfish industry in BC and that commands the attention of the world’s shellfish growers and consumers” states Tillapaugh. 

Ralph Nilson, President of Malaspina University-College, explains “the Deep Bay Field Station will continue Malaspina’s commitment to community development by supporting the regional economy. The Island Coastal Economic Trust is an important driver of economic development on Vancouver Island and shares with Malaspina the same values of education, economic growth, and most importantly, community support and innovation. Upon completion, the success of the Deep Bay Field Station will become locally and nationally recognizable through the students, scientists, and Aboriginal communities all benefiting from its shellfish aquaculture facilities.”

The Deep Bay Field Station will be built on a 3 hectare waterfront property in Deep Bay, at the southern end of Baynes Sound, between Denman Island and Vancouver Island. The facility will be architecturally unique, embracing and integrating green energy design, reflecting the unique physical location and the need for pristine water to support the shellfish industry. 

About Island Coastal Economic Trust

The Island Coastal Economic Trust was established by Provincial legislation on February 27, 2006. It provides $50-million that is managed by an independent board of directors made up of 8 locally elected government representatives and 5 provincially appointed members from the community. The board’s mandate is to makes strategic investments in regional economic priorities such as forestry, transportation, tourism, mining, energy, Olympic opportunities, economic development, agriculture and aquaculture, and small business. Information about the Trust can be found on www.islandcoastaltrust.ca. 

Contact Information

W.J. (Jack) Peake, Chair

Island Coastal Economic Trust

Tel: 250-749-6625

Al Baronas, CEO

Island Coastal Economic Trust

Tel: 250-334-2427 ext. 223

Don Tillapaugh, Director

Centre for Shellfish Research

Tel: 250-740-6113