British Columbia Shellfish Grower's Association
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BCSGA Broodstock Enhancement Committee

Description of Committee:
 The Broodstock Enhancement Committee started in 2024 as part of the BCSGA Shellfish Aquaculture Sustainability Enhancement Program funding through BC Salmon Restoration and Innovation Fund. The primary goal is to develop a robust framework for the selection of family genetics and distribution of Broodstock to improve shellfish survival, growth, marketability, and resilience to extreme climate events.

Objectives: 

  • Characterization of variance in oyster family traits and marketability.
  • Distribute family selections as seed to multiple farmers for performance analysis.
  • Validate survivability, marketability, growth, and other identified traits.
  • Conduct a review of bivalve breeding programs focused on production development and environmental impact mitigation.
  • Conduct a comprehensive review of the current breeding program.
  • Development of a long-term strategic plan for collaborative breeding programs.
  • Determine target species from all currently listed DFO shellfish species.
  • Develop the long-term strategic plan for the BC shellfish broodstock program.
  • Identify infrastructure and broodstock required to meet the objectives of the enhancement.

Committee Members: Todd Russell, JP Hastey, Jessie McMillan, Tim Green
Chair: Nico Prins
BCSGA Staff: Nioc Prins, Malcolm Cowan

British Columbia Shellfish Grower's Association
The BC Shellfish Growers Association acknowledges that we and our members largely operate on unceded Indigenous territories across the land now known as British Columbia. Many of our farms are located near archaeological sites, including clam gardens and oyster beds that were cultivated by indigenous peoples. We are grateful for their stewardship of this coast.
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