PARR-2011-Z-22
Assessing the value of bivalve meat as an indicator of ecosystem health

The purpose of this project is to assess the value of bivalve meat yield as a simple and cost-effective indicator of change in ecosystem carrying capacity attributable to shellfish aquaculture activities, as opposed to production carrying capacity. The underlying rational is that drop in meat size and weight below natural bounds signals that the most important filter-feeders in the system (i.e., the bivalves in culture) are having a negative feedback on themselves and presumably other secondary producers in the environment. Conceptually the intent is to avoid a “tipping point”, where the resilience is exceeded and the system reorganizes, compromising ecosystem functioning and consequently ecosystem services.

The project will be divided into 2 phases. Firstly, a descriptive analysis of the available datasets and an evaluation of the potential of meat yield as an indicator of ecosystem change will be undertaken. If preliminary results conclude that meat yield could be successfully used as an indicator of ecosystem change, a second phase of the project will be considered to establish a quantitative regulatory framework for the management of shellfish farming.

Principal investigators: Luc Comeau, 343 Ave University Ave, Moncton, NB; Tel.: (506) 851-2723; Email: Luc.Comeau@dfo-mpo.gc.ca; and, Lee Sheppard, Northwest Atlantic Fisheries Centre, St. John’s, NL; Tel.: (709) 772-4921; Email: Lee.Sheppard@dfo-mpo.gc.ca

Team members: Ramon Filgueira, Dalhousie University; Thomas Guyondet, DFO-Gulf region; Jon Grant, Dalhousie University; Thomas Landry, DFO-Gulf region

2-year project (2011/12, 2012/13) -Joint project Gulf/Newfoundland