With its dependence on clean water and minimal impact on the marine environment, shellfish aquaculture could become a sustainable industry to diversify BC’s rural coastal economy—a natural marriage of ecological and economic goals. Indeed, the pristine water and rich nutrients of the BC coast produce premium shellfish that are second-to-none.

Ecotrust Canada’s strategy is to create socially and environmentally responsible regional shellfish brands known for exquisite taste and quality—all wrapped up in the mystique of BC’s pristine marine wilderness. Our strategy is to:

• boost First Nation and local ownership of shellfish tenures and processing
• grow the shellfish industry in a way that is sensitive to the marine environment and minimizes ecosystem impacts
• create regional shellfish brands and processing capacity

In 1999, Ecotrust Canada began our shellfish aquaculture work by providing business loans to two oyster growers in Clayoquot Sound. We soon found ourselves working on business plans, helping local First Nations set up the Nuu-chah-nulth Shellfish Development Corporation and participating in the Working Sound Shellfish Committee to put in place a voluntary “no-discharge” zone in Lemmens Inlet, the location of oyster farms. In 2003, the Tsimshian Stewardship Committee hired Ecotrust Canada as part of a team to develop a plan to launch a wholly new shellfish industry in the North Coast worth $25 million and with the potential to create 300 jobs. Most recently, we worked with the Hul'qumi'num Treaty Group to create a shellfish development corporation to own local tenures.