Research Document - 2001/125

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

By Jamieson, G.S., Chew, L., Gillespie, G. Robinson, A., Bendell-Young, L., Heath, W., Bravender, B., Tompkins, A., Nishimura, D., and Doucett, P.

Abstract

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 in BC. There are few scientific studies of the environmental impact of 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 DFO and BC Ministry of Water, Land and Air Protection resource managers, particularly.

Here, we present a Phase 0 habitat review of Baynes Sound intertidal shellfish aquaculture to provide a baseline which with to advise on alternative management options and to identify where information is lacking. The review: 1) 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; 2) describes intertidal bottom culture operations and their potential impacts in Baynes Sound; 3) 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; 4) identifies gaps in the understanding of ecosystem impacts of extensive, intensive intertidal bottom bivalve aquaculture; and, 5) makes recommendations for future research in support of advice on ecosystem-based intertidal bivalve aquaculture management.

We have gathered all information, but have found that studies are relatively few and those available were limited in scope and rigour. The literature is fragmented in its relevance, and much available information has not been scientifically reviewed and published. Views expressed are thus more hypothesis-generating than definitive, which warrants a need for rigorous testing and evaluation.

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