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

Résumé du livre

Baynes Sound has developed into one of the major production areas for cultured shellfish in British Columbia. The existing & planned expanded scale of this aquaculture has raised concerns among federal & provincial resource managers. This paper presents a preliminary habitat review of Baynes Sound intertidal shellfish aquaculture to provide a baseline with which to advise on alternative management options & to identify where information is lacking. The review: examines the existing scientific literature on the potential environmental impacts of intertidal bottom culture aquaculture on coastal ecosystem processes, specifically relating to fish & fish habitat in the Pacific north-east; describes intertidal bottom culture operations and their potential impacts in Baynes Sound; 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; identifies gaps in the understanding of ecosystem impacts of extensive, intensive intertidal bottom bivalve aquaculture; and makes recommendations for future research in support of advice on ecosystem-based intertidal bivalve aquaculture management.