Central Coast Geoduck

This collaborative research project will explore geoduck aquaculture potential in a new farming region – the BC Central Coast. The results will help the Central Coast Commercial Fisheries Association, a business alliance of four member First Nations, diversify the economic development activities within their traditional territories.

Project Dates: June 2020 – May 31, 2025

Funding Amount: $381,250

Project Summary

This 3-year project will assess geoduck aquaculture potential in the BC Central Coast, in partnership with the Central Coast Commercial Fisheries Association (CCCFA) - a business alliance of four First Nations: Heiltsuk, Kitasoo/Xai'Xais, Nuxalk and Wuikinuxv. CCCFA has vast knowledge and experience when it comes to marine fisheries and seafood markets and wants to diversify their business operations to include geoduck aquaculture. The project will focus on comparing biophysical conditions at five potential geoduck aquaculture sites and will compare juvenile geoduck performance (growth and survival) between sites. Both the biophysical and geoduck performance data will inform a mathematical model on the sites' production capacity. Geoduck aquaculture could result in a highly lucrative economic development opportunity for coastal communities.