World-class Centre for Shellfish Research opens at Malaspina

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A $4-million Centre for Shellfish Research (CSR) officially opened at Malaspina University-College on <?xml:namespace prefix = st1 ns = "urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:smarttags" />Friday, October 8, 2004.

A team of researchers will use the world-class facility to examine the science, technology and government policies needed to support and sustain B.C.’s diversifying shellfish aquaculture industry.

“The industry is entering a period of expansion,” said Dr. Bill Pennell, professor of fisheries and aquaculture at Malaspina and the person responsible for initiating the development of the CSR concept in 2001.

Valued at $29-million (wholesale) in 2002, the industry is expected to reach $100-million annually by the year 2010 and create more than 1,000 new jobs.

“This expansion has the potential to benefit economically hard-hit coastal communities and the provincial economy, but it must be done carefully so that benefits are long term and coastal ecosystems are preserved now and in the future,” Pennell added.

“For the industry to expand in a socially, ecologically and financially sustainable fashion, much research support will be needed,” Pennell said. “This is the work to be taken on by the CSR and its partners, the B.C. industry and researchers at other institutions.”

Malaspina University-College President Rich Johnston said the post-secondary institution is delighted to be part of an initiative to support the development of a sustainable shellfish aquaculture industry in B.C.

“It’s gratifying to see academia, government and industry working together to provide answers to the scientific, social, ecological and economic issues affecting B.C.’s shellfish aquaculture industry,” said Johnston. “Malaspina's fisheries and aquaculture department has developed a solid international reputation and the new Centre for Shellfish Research is a logical extension of research strengths in this area.”

The new CSR includes wet and dry laboratories with tanks for rearing shellfish under experimental conditions and analytical equipment to process samples.

Pennell said research projects will focus on three major areas: environmental studies to determine the best practices to avoid negative effects on marine ecological systems; social sciences research to determine the needs of coastal residences and formulation of policies to meet these needs; and research to improve the competitiveness of the B.C. industry.

To date, the CSR research programs have focused on the environment and on policy development, including safe-guarding of coastal water quality and interactions of the shellfish industry with other coastal user groups.

Don Tillapaugh, CSR Director, said over the last decade the B.C. shellfish aquaculture industry has taken steps towards diversification by introducing several new species including mussels, scallops and geoducks. Preliminary research is being conducted on the viable cultivation of other species such as sea urchins, abalone and prawns. Many of these species will grow well in the colder waters typical of B.C.’s central and northern coast and will be important to the economy of many remote communities, especially First Nations.

Tillapaugh said there is a strong movement among coastal communities to take more responsibility for resource-management decisions, “and this will require both education and new approaches to resource management policy.” Social and economic factors must be understood if industry expansion is to benefit coastal communities, he said.

The CSR infrastructure is supported by the Canada Foundation for Innovation ($1.5-million); British Columbia Knowledge Development Fund ($1.5-million); Malaspina University-College Foundation ($563,000); and industry ($174,000). Operational funding comes from Western Diversification ($545,000) and the B.C. Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Fisheries ($100,000). Recently, the Centre for Shellfish Research received an additional $460,000 from the federal/provincial Western Economic Partnership Agreement for infrastructure and operations.

ADDITIONAL QUOTES:

The Honourable Stephen Owen, Minister of Western Economic Diversification and Minister of State (Sport):

“The federal investment underlines our commitment to knowledge, which leads to growth and prosperity,” said the Honourable Stephen Owen, Minister of Western Economic Diversification and Minister of State (Sport). “The Government of Canada has reaffirmed in the recent Speech from the Throne that it will continue to support the development of important leading-edge technologies and sectors of the economy that generate commercial opportunity and improve quality of life for Canadians.”

ADDITIONAL QUOTES:

The Honourable Shirley Bond, Minister of Advanced Education:

“The research that will take place at Malaspina’s shellfish centre will benefit B.C. on a variety of levels, including environmental, economic and social,” said The Honourable Shirley Bond, Minister of Advanced Education. “Government support for projects like this one is an investment in our province’s development, and helps Malaspina build its reputation for excellence in applied research.”

The Honourable John van Dongen, Minister of Agriculture, Food and Fisheries:

“British Columbia’s coastal communities are benefiting from the sustainable development of our shellfish aquaculture industry,” said The Honourable John van Dongen, Minister of Agriculture, Food and Fisheries. “The research work that will be done in the Centre for Shellfish Research will help the industry remain competitive in the future.”

Dr. Eliot Phillipson, President and CEO of the Canada Foundation for Innovation:

“The Centre for Shellfish Research at Malaspina University-College will help create a stimulating and innovative training environment to better prepare young Canadians for a wide range of careers,” said Dr. Eliot Phillipson, President and CEO of the Canada Foundation for Innovation. “This facility represents what the CFI is all about: providing the tools to institutions and researchers so that they can do the leading edge research that will benefit all Canadians.”

Dr. David Thomas, Vice-President, Instruction & Research, Malaspina University-College:

“The new Centre for Shellfish Research not only increases Malaspina’s research capacity, but also gives faculty and students hands-on career-related research and training opportunities,” said Dr. David Thomas, Vice-President, Instruction & Research. “The centre allows Malaspina to meet its strategic goal of encouraging and supporting regionally relevant research. I would like to thank all concerned for their hard work over the past two years to turn this idea into a reality.”

Pamela Parker, Executive Director, B.C. Shellfish Growers Association:

“The initial creation of the CSR in 2001 formalized a long-standing partnership between Malaspina and the shellfish industry for research and training needs,” said Pam Parker, Executive Director, B.C. Shellfish Growers Association. “This new research centre is critical to the ongoing development of the industry.”

Nanaimo MLA Mike Hunter:

“This is a great opportunity for students in Nanaimo to receive training right here at home,” said Nanaimo MLA Mike Hunter. “Malaspina University-College will now play a key role in the development of our province's shellfish industry.”

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