The British Columbia seafood industry
In the 2000s, the BC seafood industry was in a period of transition. Once dominated by wild-caught finfish and shellfish, the industry increasingly relied on aquaculture—the farming of fish and other aquatic species. Commercial wild salmon catch had fallen to historic lows in the late 1990s and continued to decline.
Similar trends were apparent for other previously abundant species like Dungeness crab, which faced increasing commercial fishing pressure and declining stocks. Despite increasing regulations that came into force in the 2000s—intended to allow wild populations to rebound—finfish and shellfish stocks were still not in good shape. To offset wild salmon and Dungeness crab declines, the BC seafood sector began to focus on groundfish like halibut and hake, and shellfish like oysters, scallops, and clams. There was great pressure to diversify, modernize, and become more sustainable, and a growing push to link federal science funding to economic outcomes.
A new facility
Vancouver Island University sought funding for a new facility for shellfish research to support this emerging and growing industry that is so important in coastal BC. The Deep Bay Marine Field Station opened in 2011 with a mandate to support sustainable aquaculture of shellfish and kelp, train a new generation of students, and educate the public about shellfish aquaculture and the marine environment. The station now draws thousands of visitors annually from across BC and beyond.
“It is nestled along the shore against a backdrop of spectacular mountains and rises like a wave on the horizon”
Inside a whale
Visiting the station is a special experience. It is nestled along the shore against a backdrop of spectacular mountains and rises like a wave on the horizon. Its form fits its function, with a clamshell shape that reflects the research being done there. The marine feeling continues inside where visitors say it’s like being inside a whale or an overturned boat. A large gray whale skeleton dominates the scene as you enter, and is framed by an expansive view of Deep Bay and the aquaculture farms that are so numerous here.
A rainbow of algae
Descending downstairs past the spine of the whale, visitors can take a sneak peek into aquaculture research—the focus of the laboratories on the lower level—where oysters, scallops, clams, kelp, and other marine organisms are carefully tended by a team of specialists, supported by VIU students. Lead researcher Tim Green, a laid-back Australian with a background in genetics, is breeding oysters that are resilient to environmental challenges like warming ocean temperatures due to climate change. Microbiologist Andrew Loudon is working on the oyster microbiome to enhance their resistance to diseases. These kinds of studies increase oyster survival and yield, which increases local food security.
The shellfish are raised on a blend of colourful algae grown specially to match the needs of larval life stages. The algal lab appears like an otherworldly rainbow of photosynthesis. Other activities at the station include kelp forest restoration with The Kelp Rescue Initiative, and work to support clam gardens in collaboration with the Clam Garden Network.
“If you have never touched an anemone, you are in for a squishy, sticky, squeal-inducing treat”
See and touch sealife
Visitors learn not only about the research at the station, but can get up close and personal with marine invertebrates like seastars, urchins, crabs, sea cucumbers, and anemones in the wildly popular touch tanks. If you have never touched an anemone, you are in for a squishy, sticky, squeal-inducing treat. Public educators share their passion for these critters and joyfully discuss the strange and even bizarre ways these animals thrive in Pacific Northwest waters.
For a quieter experience, many visitors find gazing into the large aquaria offers a chance to observe behaviours that normally only divers would get to see. Crabs twiddling their mandibles, seastars migrating across the glass with their thousands of individually controlled tube feet, or the slow feeding of tube worms on particles: all are utterly mesmerizing.
Special exhibits and events
There are many other marine exhibits and activities for ocean lovers of all ages. The latest one will be installed this June: the Baynes Sound Sign of Life, Signs of Change exhibit. It will spark your curiosity as you explore the research happening in this special place. A 3D map of the Sound with projections of marine happenings and a live data feed from the Ocean Networks Canada observatory in Deep Bay bring it to life. Find out where herring spawn and who gets in on that fishy feast. Learn how kelp forests used to be abundant and can be once again. Discover the special combination of factors that make Baynes Sound such an ideal place for marine research and for growing delicious oysters.
All this and more awaits you at the Deep Bay Marine Field Station.
Visit deepbay.viu.ca to find out more or plan your visit.
