BC Shellfish Growers Association

May 26th, 2009 -The long-awaited Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between Vancouver Island University’s (VIU) Centre for Shellfish Research (CSR) and the BC Shellfish Growers Association (BCSGA) was signed on Tuesday this week in the VIU President’s office.  Roberta Stevenson (BCSGA Executive Director) and Dr Ralph Nilson (VIU President) signed the document in a commitment to a collaborative and mutually beneficial future for both parties (see photo below).

Some words from the MOU include: “Considering that the CSR… is a respected centre for research and development and technology transfer in support of a sustainable shellfish industry…, and Considering that the BCSGA is the official representative of the BC shellfish industry and devoted to its well-being and development…, and Considering that both parties have much in common, share overlapping missions, and wish to collaborate as much as possible toward realization of their common goals…, (this) Memorandum of Understanding would be of great value in creating and supporting enduring ties between the two parties.“

Update – May 22, 2009 – And here we go!  Yesterday, May 21st 2009 Don Tillapaugh, Brian Kingzett and the whole team broke ground for the long awaited and much anticipated Centre for Shellfish Research Deep Bay Field Station.  On hand for the ceremony were over 75 people including industry supporters and representatives from all levels of government, science, community and industry.  The location of this facility is at the heart of the BC shellfish farming industry, and at the bottom of Baynes Sound the view to the North is spectacular.

Proud dignitaries (VIU President, Dr. Ralph Nilson, VIU Board of Governors Chair, John Phillips, James Lunney, MP for Nanaimo-Alberni, Darlene Wells, Counselor, Qualicum First Nation, Ron Cantelon, Minister of Agriculture, and Joe Stanhope, Chair of the Island Coastal Economic Trust), gave very enthusiastic speeches – and everyone on hand was very excited and looking forward to new opportunities.  Brian Kingzett – the CSR Deep Bay Field Station Manager – gave a particularly interesting speech, laying out his vision for the Field Station, which spans the execution of cutting edge research and industrial development projects through to the facilitation of culinary workshops and First Nations youth camps.  Conratulations to all from the BCSGA.

Click here to link to the Vancouver Island University (VIU) Press Release – VIU Breaks Ground on the $8.6 Million Deep Bay Field Station for Shellfish Aquaculture.

Update – May 15, 2009 – Thanks to Don for extending the invitation to BCSGA members to attend the groundbreaking ceremony:

You are cordially invited to attend the formal ground-breaking ceremony for the Deep Bay Field Station.  The event will take place on Thursday, May 21, 2009 at 3:00 p.m. at the Deep Bay Field Station site.

We are excited that we are now fully funded and in a financial position to begin this important rural infrastructure project.  Field Station funding has been provided by Canada Foundation for Innovation; Ministry of Advanced Education; Island Coastal Economic Trust, and; Industry Canada.  The Deep Bay Field Station will be an incredible facility, built on a magnificent 7 acre waterfront site, located in the heart of the BC shellfish aquaculture industry.

Light refreshments and an oyster bar will be available.  (Please wear appropriate footwear as this is an undeveloped property.)  We hope you can celebrate this event with us.

Please RSVP to Simah.Dodd@viu.ca

April 13, 2009 – The BCSGA wishes to congratulate Don Tillapaugh and his team at the Vancouver Island University Centre for Shellfish Research (CSR) on the recent success of achieving their funding goal to build the Deep Bay Field Station.  This has been a lot of hard-work and the perseverance paid off.  We look forward to the industrial benefits that this field station will provide.

Click here to view the PDF Press Release (April 9th) penned jointly by Industry Canada and the BC Ministry of Advanced Education and Labour Market Development.

Click here to link directly to the PR Living website and article,  For a teaser, see below…

A Taste of Okeover
By Isabelle Southcott

Spring sunshine warms my back as I settle myself in Don Carto’s boat to begin a tour of Okeover Inlet. As I look at the cottony clouds skittering across a brilliant blue sky, I am reminded again of how lucky I am to have a job I love-a job that lets me see the wonders of our region and meet people I probably wouldn’t otherwise meet.

Carto is a commercial diver and president of the Active Malaspina Mariculture Association. He also sits on the board of directors for the Okeover Harbour Authority. There’s a sign at the top of the road that leads to Okeover proclaiming it as the Oyster Capital of Canada but Carto says that Okeover is about more than just oysters-it’s about shellfish.

“Shellfish are filter feeders,” he explains “and not all shellfish in the aquaculture industry live on the bottom; we have other housings for them.”

By other housings, he doesn’t mean a skyscraper on Bloor Street in Toronto or an oceanfront home in Powell River, but rather a method of housing oysters, mussels, scallops, and clams as they grow. (more…)