Oyster Longlines

A major push to expand the shellfish industry began in 1998 when the government of British Columbia decided to double, by 2008, the amount of crown land foreshore and offshore allocated to shellfish farming. Since that time, with the support of the current government, many shellfish operations have ballooned into multi-acres of mechanized, industrial-scale, high density beach, raft, and longline operations that are having negative impacts on other economic interests, the environment, and residents.

The Association for Responsible Shellfish Farming (formerly, The Alliance for Responsible Shellfish Farming) supports sustainable shellfish farming. However, before large-scale expansions of the industry occur, the Association is resolutely determined that adequate scientific assessments of likely impacts on specific ecological sites, other economic interests, and communities must not only be undertaken, but used in government policies and decisions. Despite repeated submissions by the Association, the Provincial government has thus far failed to regulate the shellfish industry in any responsible fashion. We applaud the operators that work in a responsible, sustainable fashion. We want all operators to do so.

The Association was formed in 2001 in response to both environmental and community problems experienced in various localities around Georgia Straight in the wake of major expansions of the shellfish industry in this region in the preceding years. Members represent community groups and local organizations in Powell River, Denman Island, Union Bay, Ships Point, Fanny Bay, Quadra and Cortes Islands, Ladysmith, and the Sunshine Coast. All were deeply concerned about the lack of sustainability of the new industrial developments, the lack of meaningful consultation, the lack of planning, the lack of environmental studies, and the disregard for the impact on the ecology of the region and the communities whose shores now host these operations.

Members became alarmed at some of the unsustainable results of shellfish operations in this region, particularly the adverse environmental effects associated with the expanded operations, and the inappropriate placement of industrial-scale operations in areas zoned for, or previously dedicated to, residential and recreational use. These activities contrasted markedly with the traditional sustainable practices that more responsible local shellfish growers had used before 1998. Similar developments also took place in Puget Sound, Washington. For more information on these and related topics, please visit the websites of our partnered organizations: http://www.georgiastrait.org and http://www.protectourshoreline.org

Definition of Sustainability:

"There are various definitions of sustainability but, in essence, these condense around concepts relating to stewardship. It is perfectly acceptable to exploit the environment, provided that this is done in a way which:

1. does not significantly interfere with the commercial or amenity use of that environment by others (although those others must also utilise the environment in a sustainable manner to preserve equity);
2. does not reduce the scope for future users to benefit from the environmental resource; and
3. does not significantly alter or diminish environmental quality and biodiversity per se."

Exerpt from: K.D. Black. 2001. "Sustainability of aquaculture." In, K. Black (ed.), Environmental Impacts of Aquaculture. CRC Press. Pg. 199.