Large-Scale Recirculating Wet-Storage and Validation for Treatment of Vibrio Parahaemolyticus in BC Oysters

Summary:
Taylor Shellfish Farms Canada ULC (also known as Fanny Bay Oysters) has completed an innovative state-of-the-art live shellfish storage system. This project scaled-up and improved an existing flow-through wet-storage facility located at the Fanny Bay Oysters plant by adding new, advanced technology.

The fully recirculating and refrigerated wet-storage system can hold a volume of up to 18,000 dozen small oysters, using filtered, UV treated and refrigerated sea water. This facility will ensure inventory is always available to fill orders despite weather, Vibrio parahaemolyticus (Vp) closure, or other impediments to direct harvesting. Fanny Bay Oysters is now equipped to purchase product from independent growers during the hot summer months. They are able to run product through the new wet storage facility to ensure product safety that meets the Vp control requirements set by the Canadian Food Inspection Agency.

This project clearly improved the company’s production processing capacity with the addition of controlled wet storage of shellfish.  This has improved assurance of product quality by avoiding the necessity for post harvesting processing.  In addition, the project supports many other growers who will benefit from the increased capacity at the company’s processing plant. These factors clearly indicate that the project has improved the economic and environmental sustainability of shellfish farming in Canada.  

Recipient: Taylor Shellfish Farms Canada ULC

Total Project Cost: $230,895
           
DFO-AIMAP Contribution: $70,000

Other Financial Support:

• Recipient: Taylor Shellfish Farms Canada ULC - http://www.taylorshellfishfarms.com/

For more information please contact the AIMAP regional coordinator
Pacific Region: Sean.Irvine@dfo-mpo.gc.ca