The Star
April 21, 2007
First Nations students
will have the opportunity to learn about shellfish aquaculture in Malaspina
University-College's new shellfish aquaculture training program.
This certificate program provides shellfish aquaculture education and
training for students hoping to work as production/farm labourers, technicians,
crew supervisors and farm managers with 16 courses ranging from beach
management to business management. While the emphasis on enrolment for
this program is First Nations students, it is open to anyone interested
in shellfish aquaculture training.
"There is no other formal training of this kind in the province,"
said Koren Bear, Malaspina's shellfish aquaculture program manager. "This
program is very helpful for people who want to learn how to manage farms
in a sustainable manner. We will be teaching students how to keep the
shellfish aquaculture industry productive and healthy for years to come.
Until now,
the industry had to rely on consultants for training, so we are proud
to make this program available and create such an opportunity for students."
This comprehensive training program emphasizes practical knowledge and
skills development. With so much potential growth in the industry and
so few training opportunities, this program has come just at the right
time for First Nations groups, who are already heavily involved in the
industry.
"There are almost 500 farms that harvest clams along the B.C. coast,"
said Randy Fred, who works in capacity building and economic development
with the Uu-a-thluk, a group dedicated to protect natural resources, while
building an increasingly strong Nuu-chah-nulth culture.
"Knowing how to efficiently manage shellfish farms is necessary for
the survival of the industry, which has changed so much because of different
factors like government regulations. This new program meets the needs
that have been created by those changes."
More than 35 First Nations groups in British Columbia are already involved
in, or are planning shellfish aquaculture businesses. Initial interest
in the training program is coast-wide from Sooke to Prince Rupert in the
north.
The economic and job creation potential for shellfish aquaculture as an
activity supporting revitalization of coastal communities has been well
documented. Most recently, the Central and North Coast Shellfish Aquaculture
Development Initiative (2003) indicated the potential for 282 jobs with
an annual payroll of $7.5 million over a five to 10 year period. This
study
specifically identified the training program at Malaspina as essential
to this outcome.
"We need a sustainable, environmentally friendly industry,"
said Fred. "This program will teach people how to do things properly
and how not to deplete the resources and the surrounding environment.
In order to compete in the global marketplace, we need to have quality
training that teaches sustainability and increased production. This program
is a step in that direction."
In the past, studies have calculated that shellfish aquaculture has the
potential to become a $100 million industry that could create over 1,000
new jobs. The employment potential of sustainable shellfish aquaculture
represents a significant opportunity to address North Coast First Nations'
unemployment, which averages 60%.
Shellfish aquaculture provides permanent, year-round employment in rural
and coastal areas where jobs are scarce and the percentage of displaced
workers is high.
Malaspina will work with First Nations groups to accommodate any educational
needs that are required outside of the current shellfish aquaculture curriculum,
including business training, management skills and strategic planning.
For more information, contact Koren Bear at 250-740-6537 or beark@mala.bc.ca
or visit the website at www.mala.ca/shellfishresearch
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