Shellfish News Items
Posted on Mon, Dec 22, 2008
Posted on June 5th 2008
Posted on Sat, Sep 30, 2006
Posted on Thu, Aug 3, 2006
Posted on Sat, Jun 10, 2006
Posted on Fri, Jun 2, 2006
Posted on Fri, May 12, 2006
|
|
Shellfish News
News and information for Cortes Island's shellfish growers.
Please click here to add your own news article or event listing.
Heroic Survival and Incomprehensible Tragedy
Tuesday, December 9 - we received word that Brian Stevenson and Troy Bouchard were overdue at Heriot Bay with a load of shuck oysters from Von Donop Inlet on Cortes Island. A massive air/sea recue operation was immediately launched, but it was not until the following morning that Troy was located on the Breton Islands just off Quadra Island. There was no sign of Brian.
Read tributes to Brian, and Troy's incredible story of surviving 3-4 hours in the frigid waters of northern Georgia Strait and spending the night on a rock ledge while rescue helicopters and boats passed by. Visit www.outlandish-shellfish.com and www.bcsga.ca
Posted on Mon, Dec 22, 2008 by M. Creurer
Shellfish Aquaculture: Sustainable Economies & Environments
The vocal minority who oppose shellfish farming focus on visual concerns, all the while ignoring scientific facts. The following is a selection of literature highlighting the environmental benefits and sustainability of shellfish farming: Shumway, Davis, Downey, Karney, Kraeuter, Parsons, Rheault & Wikfors (2003.) Shellfish aquaculture. In praise of sustainable economies and environments. World Aquaculture, 34(4), pp 15-17. "Molluscan shellfish aquaculture is, by definition, a "green" industry. Shellfish growers are committed to water quality, quality of their product and quality of the environment - from the day the mollusks spawn to the day the finished product is eaten by the consumer." "These highly efficient water purifiers remove or reduce organic matter, nutrients, silt, bacteria and viruses, and improve clarity and light transmission which, in turn, improves the condition of critical habitat, including survival of critical habitat species such as sea grasses and other submerged vegetation." "An oyster farm of about 1 ha can compensate for the nitrogenous wastes of 40-50 coastal inhabitants." Powers, Peterson, Summerson, & Powers (2007.) Macroalgal growth on bivalve aquaculture netting enhances nursery habitat for mobile invertebrates and juvenile fishes. Marine Ecology Progress Series, 339, pp 109-122. "... Thus, the biogenic habitat provided largely by macroalgal growth on protective bottom mesh of clam leases supports elevated densities of mobile invertebrates and juvenile fishes similar to that of natural seagrass habitat, thereby representing a previously un-documented ecosystem benefit of bivalve aquaculture." Kite-Powell. (Woods Hole Oceanographic Institute, 2006.) Oysters and Clams Clean Up Dirty Water. Environmental Science & Technology. Washington, DC. "Shellfish are by far the most cost-effective strategy to control pollution." by BCSGA Tidelines
Red tide or algae bloom?
Cortes bay has been awash with a thick red slick in the water; signs of this also appear in the Gorge and other areas around Cortes. But, not to worry; it is not harmful. Although area 15-5 east of the Island is still closed to red tide, marine toxin tests this week show reduced levels of PSP, and in all likelihood this area will re-open this week.
The red slick that you see on the water is not red tide, but likely the result of a harmless algae bloom called hetero sigma - a natural phenomena that occurs periodically. The only harmful effect is to give oyster meat a slight red tinge when you cook it.
Another contributing factor could be the high level of pollen in the air. Pollen from trees settles on the water; wind and tides bunch it up into yellowish slicks - again, quite harmless.
It is always wise at this time of year to cook your shellfish, unless you are certain that it comes from a fully tested and approved farm site. Enjoy!
OysterFest '07
Cortes Women in the Shellfish Industry
Saturday, May 19 - Squirrel Cove
This year's event features an all-female line-up on the bandstand, and dance to the rythm of The All-Girls Band.
Other events include a kite flying competition on the beach, kid's activities, craft booths, an oyster bar, a dynamite raffle for a Necky Kayak, a Stihl Chainsaw, and a set of Sweet Talker Rain Gear. And, of course, there is food - lots and lots of glorious seafood prepared for you by local chefs. New this year is the Great Canadian Oyster "Schnitzel" burger presented by Brent, the Oysterman.
The proceeds from this year's festival will go to purchase a child's oximeter and other needed equipment for the Cortes Ambulance.
See ya' all there!!!
Here we go again!
Incidents of Red Tide appear to be occuring earlier, more frequently, and with greater severity than ever before. Or, are they?
Not all that long ago, CFIA (Canadian Food Inspection Agency) relied on the old "mouse test" as indicators of PSP toxin levels in our waters - and only from select sites. Today, these tests are more widespread, more frequent and more sophisticated. And, the reaction to a spike in the marine biotoxin analysis is more extreme - witness the precautionary closures of all sub-areas in area 13 when the tests in sub-area 13-17 spiked last week!br>So, don't panic. The situation is not necessarily getting any worse. It has more to do with over-reactions in our paranoia-ridden society than the increased threat to human health. But, let us not ignore the fact that Red Tide does exist, and that the effects of PSP toxins can be severe. It is a credit to the shellfish industry that such precautions to guard human safety are in place.
Keep yourself informed on possible closures by checking "Closures" on www.cortesshellfish.ca. Maps of the Fishery Management Areas and sub-areas can be found at www.pac.dfo-mpo.gc.ca/ops/fm/Areas/areamap_e.htm
Cortes Island author, Judith Williams, releases her latest book, Clam Gardens
Clam Gardens is a very special book. It makes us look at our own landscape and history in a different light. It reveals sites of a great, lost civilization who developed a highly sophisticated mariculture that may be thousands of years old to help support a population whose numbers far exceed previous estimates.
Clam gardens are those flat stretches of sandy beach found behind rock walls constructed along the extreme low-tide contour of many bays. Sediment gathers within the wall, creating "fluffy" sand that butter clams and other shellfish flourish in. At low tides the gardens are exposed making it easy for harvesting with a digging stick and grass container.
A truly great read. You will be searching our shores for new evidence with every boat outing. Refer to
http://www.thetyee.ca/Books/2007/02/08/ClamGardens/ for more details.
Rain Gear designed by an oyster farmer that really work!
Introducing. New SWEET TALKER RAIN GEAR.
At last, a rain gear that lasts and is comfortable to wear.
As we all know, oyster farming has got to be the hardest of any industry on rain gear. Up till now, it was felt that nothing short of kevlar would do the job. But, check this out. Behind every great product is a great story.
While vacationing off the B.C. Coast, our host, an experienced Oyster Farmer, complained that rain pants did not last. Two months tops he said, no matter the cost or the brand. In no time, this sweet talking Irishman had challenged us to make rain gear that would withstand the most arduous conditions without splitting, leaking or tearing, as well as being light and comfortable. After one year of testing, our sample rain pants have exceeded all expectations and successfully passed the most grueling tests by the most demanding segment of the fishing industry, the Oyster Farmer.
SWEET TALKER rain pants and jackets are available in Sizes XXS to XXL from:
Cortes Market, Mansons Landing, Cortes Island, BC, Canada, 250-935-6626, and
Redden Net, 690 Island Hwy, Campbell River, BC, Canada, 250-286-1038, or
Contact Cactus Creek Manufacturing Ltd. Ph - (604)597-0737; Fax - (604)597-0799; e-mail - cactuscreek@shaw.ca
Shellfish Farmers devastated by recent storms
All along the West Coast shellfish farmers are stunned by the devastation left in the wake of last week's storms which delivered a triple wammy to the industry.
Cortes Island fared better than most, but certainly did not go unscathed. On Marina Island beaches have eroded away taking valuable product with it. In the Gorge Harbour several foams popped out from under rafts, trays were washed adrift, and anchorlines broke under the strain. On Wadddington Channel rough water rafts especially designed to withstand high winds disintegrated into piles of match sticks.
One young lad was harvesting oysters when the storm hit. He had to struggle to free his boat from the dock before it swept onto the rocks. He then spent the next five hours in the dark tied to a buoy in the middle of the lease while six foot swells crashed over his hull. His zuit-suit kept him warm, but he had to go five hours without a cigarette!!!
A massive clean-up is under way all along the coast at a cost reaching over a million dollars. Goverment funds have been made available to the tune of $25,000.00 to help with the clean-up, however nothing can replace the equipment, material and product loss. Much more needs to be done as some farmers face a total loss of their livelihood.
CSR developing an "experimental farm" style facility
The Center for Shellfish Research is developing a fieldsite at Deep Bay that will provide for the practical shorter term research needs of industry, and will also offer industry training, technology transfer and public education.
The long awaited facility will consist of a field lab building and a R&D and demonstration farm on 2 deep water tenures and an intertidal tenure. Construction and farm development should be completed by summer, 2007, and will provide a research and training infrastructure that is unparalleled - both in Canada and the west coast of the US.
For more info read the article in their 2006 newsletter on at www.csr.mala.bc.ca
Posted on Sat, Sep 30, 2006
Map of Cortes leases
New to the Cortes Island Shellfish web site... we have added an interactive map of all leases on Cortes to the producer's page. You can now see exactly where your most delicious shellfish are grown.
Simply click on to the Producer's page, then scroll through the map. You can find out who owns a particular lease simply by clicking on it.Posted on Thu, Aug 3, 2006
BC Shellfish Industry Strategic Plan
Hot off the press!!! The BCSGA has just presented this report on behalf of the shellfish industry and shellfish farmers of BC
1 SUMMARY
The purpose of this Strategic Plan is to recognize problems, identify opportunities and appropriate strategic initiatives to support British Columbia (BC) shellfish industry development.
The shellfish industry faces numerous challenges including a considerable regulatory burden, marketing and selling issues, knowledge development and communications, and some fundamental opposition to the industry from special interest groups and anti-farming non-governmental organizations. Also, there is difficulty obtaining adequate capital investment in the industry because of low profit margins and challenges in industry organization and representation. Adequate return on investment is critical for industry success.
This Strategic Plan addresses the future of the industry by assessing its position at this time and identifying the vision, goals and strategic directions to take forward the development of the industry.
The Strategic Plan identifies:
• action items
• timelines for a five-year implementation
• an implementation strategy, including strategies for achieving some funding to assist the industry with ongoing development.
1.1 VISION
The following is the vision for the future of the BC shellfish industry:
BC shellfish farmers – working together for a sustainable and competitive industry.
Shellfish industry Strategic Plan 1
1.2 STRATEGIC DIRECTIONS
Discussions and meetings were held with industry representatives prior to the writing of the Strategic Plan. Five key strategic priorities or directions emerged from these discussions:
1) Industry Promotion
2) Consistent Product Quality
3) Industry Structure and Governance
4) Research and Development
5) Training and Education
Within each of the five direction areas, a series of action items was discussed. More detail on these action items is identified in “The Future of the Industry” section in this Strategic Plan.
For a complete look, link onto www.bcsga.ca or contact Marcel at jumarcortes@msn.com
Map of areas affected by closures
If you are not sure which area affects you for closures, refer to www.pac.dfo-mpo.gc.ca/ops/fm/Areas/areamap_e.htm
This will provide a map that should be useful.Posted on Sat, Jun 10, 2006
Local shellfish grower fends off wolves while digging clams
While working his beach recently, Brent Petkau suddenly found himself surrounded by a pack of wolves that were trying to get at his dog. With whistles, shouts, and branishing a clam rake, Brent waded into the thick of things and successsfully fended off the attackers. It was a harrowing experience... One that had him still suffering the effects of sudden adrenalin rush the next day.Posted on Fri, Jun 2, 2006
Cortes Island Shellfish web site launched
The new Cortes Island Shellfish web site has been launched in time for OysterFest '06 and the opening of the Shellfish Interpretive Center on May 20th.
Built by local design firm PhotoSynthesis Communications, the site is
intended to help Cortes shellfish growers promote their products
around the world and raise awareness of the value of the local
shellfish industry.
The site includes a buyer's guide with oyster recipes, shellfish
industry classified ads, fun facts about oysters, a directory of
Cortes shellfish growers, and more. Visit it today at
www.cortesoysters.ca, www.cortesshellfish.ca, or
www.cortesislandoysters.ca.
Posted on Fri, May 12, 2006
|
|
