HOME HELP FEEDBACK E-MAIL ALERTS ARCHIVE SEARCH TABLE OF CONTENTS		QUICK SEARCH:   [advanced] Author: Keyword(s): Year:  Vol:  Page:

This Article Full Text (PDF) Services Similar articles in this journal Alert me to new issues of the journal Citing Articles Citing Articles via Google Scholar Google Scholar Articles by Jamieson, G.S. Articles by Doucette, P. Search for Related Content PubMed Articles by Jamieson, G.S. Articles by Doucette, P. Related Collections Canada -- All Pacific province

Phase 0 Review of the Environmental Impacts of Intertidal Shellfish Aquaculture in Baynes Sound

Document format: pdf

Publisher: Fisheries and Oceans Canada

Creation date: 2001

Shellfish aquaculture has taken place in coastal British Columbia (BC) since the early 1900s, and Baynes Sound has developed into one of the major production areas for cultured shellfish aquaculture; the most notable management issues centre around land-use conflicts with upland owners, recreational harvesters, wild harvesters, other recreational activities, and navigation. Recently, Simenstad and Fresh (1995) published on the ecosystem concerns regarding intertidal bivalve bottom culture practices. The existing and planned expanded scale of this aquaculture in Baynes Sound has raised concerns among Department of Fisheries and Oceans (DFO) and BC Ministry of Water, Land and Air Protection resource managers.

Here, we present a Phase 0 habitat review of Baynes sound intertidal shellfish aquaculture to provide a baseline with which to advise on alternative management options and to identify where information is lacking. The review covers the existing scientific literature on the potential environmental impacts of intertidal bottom culture aquaculture on coastal ecosystem processes, specifically relating to fish and fish habitat in the Pacific north-east. It describes intertidal bottom culture operations and their potential impacts in Baynes Sound. It assesses the need for monitoring and/or a cumulative effects study related to the planned increase of leased area in the intertidal zone of Baynes Sound. It identifies gaps in the understanding of ecosystem impacts of extensive, intensive intertidal bottom bivalve aquaculture. Finally, it makes recommendations for future research in support of advice on ecosystem-based intertidal bivalve aquaculture management.

Key Words: Canada • British Columbia • Baynes Sound • Shellfish Aquaculture • Ecosystem Management • DFO