One of the central purposes of the Clayoquot Alliance is to promote
academic research that responds to community needs and concerns. With
this intent in mind, Senior Research Associate Barb Beasley has compiled
a list of community research needs related to aquaculture,
community health, marine resources,
and tourism, each identified collaboratively through a number of interviews, meetings
and community events. These included:
Our acknowledgements and thanks go to all involved. Questions, comments and additions to this list are welcomed.
| Themes |
Relevant Disciplines |
Research Questions |
| Alternative Technologies |
Applied Science R&D |
How can we improve the methods and efficiency of shellfish growing
with better equipment? |
| How effective are alternative finfish aquaculture technologies
such as closed containment systems? |
| Behavioural Ecology |
How do we control shellfish predators (stars, green crabs, birds)
in an ecologically sensitive way? |
| Coastal Zone Planning |
Geography, Resource Management |
How can aquaculture sites be located using an ecosystem-based planning
approach? How would it compare to a conventional approach? |
| Environmental Monitoring |
Environmental Sciences, Earth & Ocean Sciences |
What are the sources of Cd that accumulate in shellfish and how
is Cd distributed geographically? How does Cd uptake differ with
depth? How does Cd uptake differ with age of oyster/clam? |
| Environmental & Resource Management |
How do we develop a comprehensive environmental monitoring program
that includes examining the interactions of aquaculture among other
factors? |
| How does finfish aquaculture affect the distribution of sea lice
in wild fish stocks? |
| Earth & Ocean Sciences; Environmental & Resource Management;
Environmental Sciences |
Review sampling methods for fecal choliform contamination to determine
whether they are valid for determining risk. |
| Environmental Management |
What happens to oyster feces in the environment? |
| Governance and policy making |
Environmental Management, Political Science; Public Administration |
How do different approaches influence policy making in aquaculture
- contrast adversarial and cooperative approaches. Do corporations
co-opt cooperative approaches? Is adversarial pressure necessary
to create incentive for companies to negotiate? |
| Public Administration |
What went right and what went wrong around the protocol agreement
between Mainstream salmon aquaculture company and the Ahousaht First
Nations? An analysis of the protocol agreement would help determine
mistakes to avoid and positive aspects to incorporate into future
joint ventures. |
| Business; Sociology |
What are the reasons behind negative perceptions about aquaculture?
Is it because of the focus on atlantic salmon aquaculture? Is it
because aquaculture is relatively new? How broad a reach does the
anti-fish farming campaign have? Does it affect public perception
of shellfish aquaculture? |
| Public perception, marketing, certification |
Resource and Environmental Management; Business |
Investigate whether BC farmed shellfish and wild harvested products
could qualify for Marine Stewardship Council certification. |
| Business strategy |
Business |
How do companies or operators deal with public issues, such as
the issues around salmon farming? |
| Social change from wild harvest to aquaculture |
Resource and Environmental Management |
What are the interactions between beach aquaculture and the wild
clam fishery? Is the development of aquaculture causing a transfer
of wealth from local communities to individuals who can afford the
capital costs of installing aquaculture systems? Traditional harvest
areas are being displaced by aquaculture in Clayoquot Sound. What
are the costs and benefits of each? This is seen as timely because
aquaculture is shifting from deep water to beach seeding which displaces
wild harvesters. |
| Cadmium health risks |
Epidemiology;
Environmental Science |
What are the health risks of ingesting Cadmium in shellfish diets
to coastal communities? How do the health risks vary with respect
to gender, age, other health risks such as diabetes, etc.? What are
the “safe limits” over the long term? |
