Linking environmental conditions to impacts of harmful algal blooms and associated biotoxins on farmed salmon in British Columbia

Description

Globally, the frequency and magnitude of Harmful Algal Blooms (HABs) have increased in recent years, influenced by anthropogenic pressures such as eutrophication and climate change. The production of biotoxins and physical damage to biota caused by HABs affect all levels of the marine ecosystem and can impact the sustainability of fisheries and aquaculture. Similar trends are evident in British Columbia, with production losses due to the impact of HABs on the B.C. salmon aquaculture industry amounting to millions of dollars annually.

The goal of this project is to increase understanding of the dynamics and drivers of HABs and associated biotoxins in B.C. coastal waters, with a focus on their occurrence and impacts at salmon aquaculture sites.

Program name

Aquaculture Collaborative Research and Development Program (ACRDP)

Years

Three years: 2019-2022

Principal investigator

Andrew Ross, research scientist, Fisheries and Oceans Canada, Institute of Ocean Sciences, Pacific Region
Email: Andrew.Ross@dfo-mpo.gc.ca

Team members

Stewart Johnson, research scientist, Fisheries and Oceans Canada, Pacific Biological Station, Pacific Region
Andrea Locke, research scientist, Fisheries and Oceans Canada, Institute of Ocean Sciences, Pacific Region

Collaborators

Tim Hewison, Fish Health Coordinator, Grieg Seafood BC Ltd.
Ovi Haque, Algae Monitoring Coordinator, Cermaq Canada