1. Molluscan Aquaculture in Atlantic Canada

2. Need for Aquaculture The need for food around the world is always increasing Fish stocks are declining - New resources need to be developed Growing and caring for aquatic organisms for the purpose of food production »Salmon, Mussels, Oysters, Scallops, Trout, Arctic Char, Sea Urchins, Kelp, etc.

3. Shellfish - Filter Feeding Filter feeding animals are very important in an ecosystem They eat what is already there - so they don’t need to be given artificial food They clean the water - most can even filter and eat bacteria, making them safe to consume

4. This slide shows clumped mussels open and actively feeding

5. GILLS STOMACH INTESTINE HEART MANTLE AMERICAN OYSTER ANATOMY

6. Condo with Oysters Oyster Aquaculture The cages are tied and floated in rows to feed on naturally occurring food

7. Quahaug Aquaculture Shows high densities in red areas

8. Mussel Aquaculture Lines from a distance Closer to lines on a calm day Mature lines out of water

9. Mussel Aquaculture Support Line Buoy Marker Buoy Between 5 & 7 Metres deep Anchor MusselsSock 150 socks per line BOTTOM Suspended mussel line 90 meters

10. SCUBA Divers getting positioned

11. SCUBALook at mussel lines Look for starfish in divers hand Click on middle frame

12. SCUBA This mussel line will be used for samples

13. Research “Weather Station” use of cages Temperature/Salinity Water quality What are the conditions in the bay Growth / Survival Competition Invasive species

14. 1 m DFO/AVC Collecting portion Temperature Recorder (1 min intervals) Mussel Cage

15. Experimental Mussel Cage on Site

16. Growth This mussel measures 4.95 centimeters

17. Research Field studies –Deployment of 50 cages in PEI, NS, and NB (Oysters and Mussels)

18. How can there still be good growth in many areas that look crowded?

19. Working with Aquatic Ecosystems Dynamic - Everything is in movement Tides, currents, water exchange, etc. Interrelated - All the parts are connected Impact on one part affects the others Influences - Many things affect the ecosystem Water based factors - Constantly changing environment Land based factors - Most things eventually finish in the oceans Natural and Man-made impacts Other species

20. Invasive species Green Crab Clubbed Tunicate Codium

21. Mussel research cage covered in club tunicates

22. Questions? Marine Biology Ecosystems Aquaculture Scientific Research Scuba Diving Mussels Crabs Oysters Lobsters Invasive species Challenges

23. Questions on any of the Topics Above ? Contact Or any DFO office in your area Matthew Hardy Aquaculture Biologist Fisheries and Oceans Canada Gulf Region 343 Université Avenue Moncton, N.B. E1C 9B6 Tel. (506) 851-2728 E-mail: hardyma@dfo-mpo.gc.ca