Canadian researchers focus on climate change
Driven by the need to understand the effects a changing climate is having on aquaculture in Canada, researchers are coming together with the industry to try and mitigate these effects.
Rising waters levels, higher frequency and more violent storms, warming water temperatures and ocean acidification are all just examples of the effects of climate change that are already observed in Canadian waters.
But understanding these effects and how they relate to the various aquaculture industries on both the west and east coast of Canada is currently limited by a lack of data.
This year, researchers from across Canada collaborated to organize interactive workshops, held on both coasts, that brought together representatives from industry, government and academia with the goals to address concerns associated with climate change, and how the industry might mitigate these struggles and prevent future issues.
Dr Gregor Reid from the University of New Brunswick/Canadian Integrated Multi-trophic Aquaculture Network, is the lead researcher of the East Coast Climate Change initiative, and spoke about the major outcomes of the workshops at the recent ACFFA (Atlantic Canada Fish Farmers Association) Research Forum. Both coasts echoed “a need for long-term data gathering”, as there are huge data gaps in parameters such as water quality in inshore areas.
With respect to shellfish larvae, even slight changes in water quality can have significant detrimental effects on growth and development. On the east coast of Canada, the country's major hub for shellfish growing, water quality data is paramount for the industry.
A major outcome for these workshops was the creation of a Pacific and Atlantic Water Quality Initiative. By compiling all the local water data for various areas on both coasts, this initiative aims to provide a tool for assessing real-time and trending changes in water quality.
