Geoduck Clam Application Summary & Issues for Consideration

Thank you, Matthias, for posting the links to the Abrupt Shellfish Inc application for geoduck shellfish aquaculture in Preedy Harbour. There are a few key application points that should be noted:

1. Proposed aquaculture area: 18.8 hectares (46.5 acres)
2. Aquaculture type: Subtidal on/in bottom culture
3. Usage of predator netting: 48,200 sq. meters (518,820 sq. feet)
4. Zoning: Change required from W4 to W5 by Island Trust
5. Shellfish type: Geoduck (Hatchery) and Horse Clam (Natural Set)
6. Production Start & Amount: 300 tonnes of Geoduck in 2024
7. Closest community indicated: Chemainus

Zoning Change Application:
On February 02, 2020, Abrupt Shellfish applied for a zoning change to the Island Trust. The Thetis Island Local Trust Committee Meeting Agenda Notes of June 02, 2020, give a good overview - pages 08-65.
https://islandstrust.bc.ca/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/th_202...

Here is a key background statement from the Island's Trust's associated staff report:
"Abrupt Shellfish Inc. made an application to Front Counter BC in 2017 for a subtidal crown land tenure for the on-bottom culture of geoducks and horse clams (by catch). A referral from Front Counter BC for the current crown land licence of occupation application was responded to by the Northern Office planning staff in 2018, which recommended refusal of the project due to the lack of permissible zoning. Despite the response, the applicant has chosen to apply to rezone. As such, the application must be processed and provided due process."

Some geoduck industry information found on the internet:
1. "Geoduck Aquaculture"; Denman Island Marine Stewards - https://adims.ca/geoduck/
2. "Gear, not geoducks, impacts ecosystem if farming increases"; University of Washington - https://www.washington.edu/news/2015/10/21/gear-not-geoducks...
3. "B.C.’s $50 million geoduck industry hit after China’s market slumps"; Victoria News - https://www.vicnews.com/news/b-c-s-50-million-geoduck-indust...
4. "What is the price of geoduck?"; Fathom Seafoods - https://fathomseafood.com/blogs/news/what-is-the-price-of-ge...

On a final note, I would like to point out that in B.C., 90% of geoducks are exported to Asia, with wholesale pricing in 2020 at $20-30 per pound making Abrupt Shellfish's application target of 300 tonnes from Preedy Harbour in 2024 worth a gross value of $13.2M to $19.8M.

"In British Columbia - More than 90 percent of geoducks harvested in B.C. are exported and sold to Chinese markets where the demand is huge, apparently due to its aphrodisiac properties." Fathom Seafoods, December 02, 2021.

Greg Kasting