VIU receives $4.3 M to fund Deep Bay Shellfish Research Centre

Vancouver Island University’s new Deep Bay Field Station will become a reality thanks to a $4.3 million joint investment from the federal and provincial governments. The funding was announced today by James Lunney, MP for Nanaimo-Alberni and Ron Cantelon, MLA for Nanaimo-Parksville.

“The Deep Bay Field Station will be instrumental in increasing the interaction between academic and student researchers and BC shellfish farmers,” said Don Tillipaugh, Director of VIU’s Centre for Shellfish Research.  “This will allow us to focus on key issues, to create and apply new knowledge, and to generate jobs and economic activity in coastal and First Nations communities.”

With $4.3 million already raised, a site secured and building plans already in place, the latest funding will allow VIU to begin construction as soon as next month on the $8.6 million project.

The Deep Bay Field Station will cluster scientific, environmental, economic and public engagement programming into one facility; creating a centre of excellence and innovation to support sustainable shellfish aquaculture development and preservation of coastal ecosystems.

“We have had incredible support for the Deep Bay Field Station concept from communities ranging from Haida Gwaii to Bamfield,” said Tillipaugh. “It is tremendous to now get the support from our federal and provincial governments to bring the Field Station to reality.”

“Vancouver Island University continues to develop its diverse offering of innovative, cutting-edge programs and the provincial government along with our First Nations is very pleased to be a partner in that growth,” said Cantelon. “This announcement is about broadening the great work that VIU does for the community while creating new jobs in the process.”

“This new research station will support the growth of the shellfish industry and spur on the creation of new jobs on Vancouver Island and the Sunshine Coast, benefiting communities and First Nations,” said Ralph Nilson, president and Vice-Chancellor. “We are grateful that the government of British Columbia recognizes the important role education and research is playing in shaping the shellfish industry. This centre will attract international attention and new investment for coastal communities and the Province of B.C.”

The centre will support First Nations shellfish aquaculture businesses through training and mentoring, strengthen innovation by increasing interaction between researchers and industry, accelerate the use of new knowledge by linking research and training and support coastal economies.

The project also aims to demonstrate sustainable (green) building technologies in a coastal area under enormous development pressures, through a publicly accessible platinum accredited LEED green building.

For more information about the Deep Bay Field Station visit www.viu.ca/deepbay.