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MP announces three projects to receive federal Fisheries funding
Dan MacLennan
Courier-Islander
Friday, January 09, 2009
A new method of using shellfish, kelp and bottom feeders to reduce fish farm waste is among three projects to receive federal Fisheries funding.
Courtenay-based Kyuquot SEAfoods Ltd. will receive $250,000 to develop its Sea-System Infrastructure Innovation Project, Vancouver Island North MP John Duncan announced in Campbell River Thursday.
"This will result in a potential new and environmentally-friendly food source for other aquaculture species and it will reduce the amount of such waste on the ocean floor," Duncan said at a news conference in the BC Centre for Aquatic Health Sciences.
Kyuquot SEAfoods president and CEO Dr. Stephen Cross said a 'sea tram' beneath fish farms will support tiers of oysters, cockles, mussels and scallops below net pens to feed on the waste the pens produce. Dissolved nutrients like nitrates and ammonia will be absorbed by a kelp component while sea cucumbers and sea urchins would feed on solid waste that falls to the ocean floor below the net pens.
"We anticipate to be able to grow in the order of 70 to 100 metric tonnes of shellfish at a small salmon farm or fish site per year using this type of system," he said.
Meanwhile, the BC Centre for Aquatic Health Sciences will receive $250,000 for a number of projects including one to develop tests determining the readiness of smolts to enter salt water. Another project will seek a test to rapidly detect the Infectious Hematopoietic Necrosis (IHN) virus which has cost the BC aquaculture industry millions of dollars in losses over the years.
Duncan said quick detection of IHN will allow salmon farmers to identify virus outbreaks quickly and minimize potential losses by implementing containment measures.
"We're going to make very good use of this money," said Centre CEO Linda Sams. "This industry can and will be an accepted part of our economy here as long as we have local and innovative approaches to good operational practices."
Duncan also announced funding of $24,000 to the BC Salmon Farmers Association to import New Zealand's expertise in cryopreservation techniques. He said it will help to reduce operating costs and enhance brood stock performance.
Duncan said Ottawa will invest $23.5 million over the next five years to support the development of a vibrant and sustainable aquaculture industry.
"The industry is not without controversy," he said. "It's very important that we jointly invest in innovative practices designed to continually improve the industry's environmental record, which is why it gives me great pleasure to announce that our government is investing $524,000 in aquaculture innovation projects in British Columbia."
© Courier-Islander (Campbell River) 2009
20ft Alumaweld Intruder
Dan MacLennan
Courier-Islander
Friday, January 09, 2009
A new method of using shellfish, kelp and bottom feeders to reduce fish farm waste is among three projects to receive federal Fisheries funding.
Courtenay-based Kyuquot SEAfoods Ltd. will receive $250,000 to develop its Sea-System Infrastructure Innovation Project, Vancouver Island North MP John Duncan announced in Campbell River Thursday.
"This will result in a potential new and environmentally-friendly food source for other aquaculture species and it will reduce the amount of such waste on the ocean floor," Duncan said at a news conference in the BC Centre for Aquatic Health Sciences.
Kyuquot SEAfoods president and CEO Dr. Stephen Cross said a 'sea tram' beneath fish farms will support tiers of oysters, cockles, mussels and scallops below net pens to feed on the waste the pens produce. Dissolved nutrients like nitrates and ammonia will be absorbed by a kelp component while sea cucumbers and sea urchins would feed on solid waste that falls to the ocean floor below the net pens.
"We anticipate to be able to grow in the order of 70 to 100 metric tonnes of shellfish at a small salmon farm or fish site per year using this type of system," he said.
Meanwhile, the BC Centre for Aquatic Health Sciences will receive $250,000 for a number of projects including one to develop tests determining the readiness of smolts to enter salt water. Another project will seek a test to rapidly detect the Infectious Hematopoietic Necrosis (IHN) virus which has cost the BC aquaculture industry millions of dollars in losses over the years.
Duncan said quick detection of IHN will allow salmon farmers to identify virus outbreaks quickly and minimize potential losses by implementing containment measures.
"We're going to make very good use of this money," said Centre CEO Linda Sams. "This industry can and will be an accepted part of our economy here as long as we have local and innovative approaches to good operational practices."
Duncan also announced funding of $24,000 to the BC Salmon Farmers Association to import New Zealand's expertise in cryopreservation techniques. He said it will help to reduce operating costs and enhance brood stock performance.
Duncan said Ottawa will invest $23.5 million over the next five years to support the development of a vibrant and sustainable aquaculture industry.
"The industry is not without controversy," he said. "It's very important that we jointly invest in innovative practices designed to continually improve the industry's environmental record, which is why it gives me great pleasure to announce that our government is investing $524,000 in aquaculture innovation projects in British Columbia."
© Courier-Islander (Campbell River) 2009
20ft Alumaweld Intruder
