Open to: All BCIA Registrants and their guests.

Come join the Victoria & Islands Branch for a half-day event learning about local marine life, current issues in marine sciences, aquaculture research, seafood and shellfish processing, and a lunch of locally sourced seafood!

Topics Covered:

• Shellfish aquaculture research and food security initiatives

• Shellfish health and immunology research

• Marine ecosystems and production practices

• Networking and applied learning with faculty and professionals

Learning Objectives/Key Takeaways:

• Gain insight into cutting-edge aquaculture research in BC

• Learn about shellfish health, immunology, and food security

• Observe and discuss shellfish farming methods through optional boat or beach tours

• Network with colleagues and faculty in a marine research setting

Agenda

10:30 am - 12:00 pm: Tour of Deep Bay Marine Field Station. Explore the research activities happening at the Station and how those link into larger initiatives regarding food security and safety on the coast. A beach tour will also take place to discuss the production of shellfish.

*11:00 am - 11:30 am: optional boat tour of the shellfish farms in the harbour (Only 5 spots available - pre-reservation of spaces is required with registration) **Leave station at 10:50am

*11:30 am - 12:00 pm: optional boat tour of the shellfish farms in the harbour (Only 5 spots available - pre-reservation of spaces is required with registration) **Leave station at 11:20am

12:00 pm - 1:00 pm: Lunch (locally sourced seafood) with Chef/Preparation presentation by Ellie Scott and Q&A (10 min)

1:00 pm - 1:30 pm: Networking

1:30 pm - 2:30 pm: Presentation by Dr. Timothy Green on shellfish health and immunology research. Tim is the Canada Research Chair in Shellfish Health and Genomics, focused on "future proofing shellfish". Tim is also Professor of Fisheries and Aquaculture at Vancouver Island University (VIU).

Presenter Bios:

Dr. Tim Green is an internationally recognized expert in aquaculture, with a strong emphasis on aquatic animal health and immunology. Through his research, Dr. Green has expanded the knowledge base in the field of invertebrate immunology by identifying new immune pathways in the oyster. In British Columbia, Dr. Green will examine the response of the Pacific oyster to two climate-change exacerbated threats, ocean acidification and Vibrio bacteria. Over the next five years, Dr. Green will study the genetic and epigenetic mechanisms of shellfish adaption to these stressors. By determining the mechanisms involved in evolutionary adaption, an expected outcome is the implementation of a selective-breeding program to future-proof the Canadian shellfish industry against these challenges.

Ellie Scott is a semi- retired red seal chef having moved to Deep Bay 7 years ago. She has a long history up and down this coast cooking in all sorts of venues- from hotels, restaurants, high end catering, to yachts and sport fishing boats, to logging camps and ski hills. Since moving here Eliie has gotten to know many local food producers and loves to experiment with unusual products. Her time working at the marine station has introduced her to local entrepreneurs that are carving out a niche in the food business. She is looking forward to being able to bring some of these items to the upcoming lunch at the Deep Bay Marine Station for the BCIA tour.

Register by September 24th

ATTENTION articling registrants!! The in-person event will be an excellent opportunity to network and meet with other branch registrants.

Please note that photographs and footage will be taken. These will be used by BCIA for marketing and publicity in our publications, on our website, newsletters, and on social media. Should you not wish to have your photo taken and used for these purposes, please advise the photographer at the time.