by
Daivid Wiwchar
Ha-shilth-sa Reporter
February 24, 2005
Zeballos - "Oyster farming brings us back to our beaches to manage our resources and environment," said Steve John, as he hooks a series of cables onto a web of oyster-laden ropes in Little Espinoza Inlet. Across from the oyster farm, John points to the beach in front of their Klitsis Reserve where millions of clams have been seeded into the beach, and will be ready for harvest soon.
The oysters are helping bring back other traditions, including eating tutsup (sea urchin), a dietary staple almost lost to hungry and healthy sea otter populations, but now stocks are returning in the areas near oyster farms where the urchins have shelter from predation. "The Elders really love it when we bring them a few big sea urchins," said John, who admits he hasn't quite developed the taste for tutsup yet.
The Ehattesaht First Nation has 7 tenures covering 55 hectares producing more than a million marketable oysters a year. The tenures cost more than $65,000, and carry some irony. "We have to rent our land back," Smith said half-jokingly. "The Minister has the authority to give us a break, but we didn't even ask," he said, obviously determined to make their business a success despite bureaucratic hurdles and development costs.
At one site, fifteen 600' ropes stretch from dozens of blue buoys. and hundreds of 20' long smaller ropes hang down into the pristine northern waters, seedd with millions of oysters and the economic hopes of a Nation.
"We're trying to create work and opportunities for our members and make some money for the tribe," said Ehattesaht CHief Councilor Ernie Smith.
Ehattesaht have invested $800,000 dollars into oyster farming over the past five years of operations, but are currently facing challenges in market conditions.
"The markets are flooded with oysters, so we're having a difficult time," said Smith. "With prices being down, we're just breaking even, so we're going to have to do something creative to help market our product," he said.
Global shellfish aquaculture production is valued at 13 billion ($CDN), and BC holds only 0.2% of that. According to Brian Kingzett in a recent article in Northern Aquaculture magazine, the shellfish aquaculture industry is suffering a death of a thousand cuts as government fees, regulations, operational costs, and the rise of the Canadian dollar and its effect on the lucrative US market.
With 3000 gallons of oysters ready to come out of the water, and another 4000 gallons ready for harvest soon after, Ehattesaht has hired a marketing firm to help them gain access to larger markets.
Ehattesaht also hired veteran oyster farmer Colin Calvert to manage their venture. With more than a decade of experience, and a farm of his own near Bligh Island, Calvert is helping steer Ehattis Oysters towards efficiency and profitability.
Calvert and John manage the farm sites, some of which are raft systems while others are buoyed ropes. Two people are employed at harvesting times, and six people work seeding.
Ehattis Oysters saves
a lot of money by growing their own seed stock. The oysters are prized
Japanese pacific oysters demanded by consumers for their texture and taste.
Once marketing plans are developed and put to work, Smith hopes Ehattis
Oysters from the pristine waters of Northern Vancouver Island will take
their deserved place at the head of the table.
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