Report on a visit to Canada 22 June to 4 July 2009

Canada Report 2009 Page 1
SOED PROJECT
Study Visit Report
Canada
June 22nd - July 14th
2009
Eulália
Mugabe
Organization
August, 2009
Canada Report 2009 Page 2
Background
It was with a pleasure that I received an invitation from the University of Victoria to
attend to the World Student Environment Summit. From that stage to the travel day
was an excited period, I answered a selective questionnaire about my background
and my commitment about sustainability which was approved by the organizing committee of the summit and then participated on online discussions preparing to the
meeting. From this opportunity I received, from Jack Littlepage, a good schedule to
stay for two more weeks in order to see about aquaculture in British Columbia which
was very important for my career and studies and also making contacts both with
summit people and people working on fisheries and aquaculture in BC, having a kind
of vacation while learning about, and enjoying BC. I visited the Centre of Shellfish Research at Vancouver Island University, Island Sea Farms (the Salt Spring Island Mussel
Hatchery), Pacific SEA-lab, Kyuquot sound and the shellfish cooperative on Cortes Island where I had opportunity to see and work on shellfish and fish culture.
The Summit
The Summit united leading students in environmental sustainability with a goal of
educating and empowering a new generation. The Summit acted as a platform for student engagement, innovation, and international relationships.
During the summit I had plenary sessions with specialists in the climate change and
sustainability areas and topic discussion with about 50 students from around the
world. I moved between rooms called “create”, “conserve” and “collaborate” showing and discussing in each room what we are doing in Mozambique and Brazil for sustainability and climate change. For more, information visit www.2009wses.com. The
photos below show the round table discussions, and with Chantal Orr (co-chair of
2009WSES) with our flags in the background, during the closing ceremony and with
other participants during lunch.
Canada Report 2009 Page 3
Canada Report 2009 Page 4
Island Sea Farms (Salt Spring Island Mussel Hatchery)
The hatchery was in the end of production season at the clean up stage but, I had an
important occasion to see a different hatchery structure from what I have been seeing
at LMM, a simple and small hatchery that is running very well.
At microalgae sector checking the different bag supports.
Centre of Shellfish Research at Vancouver Island University
The cockles, one the cultivated clams in BC were the main objective at CSR where I
had the chance to see the lab and equipment used for culturing the native cockle, Clinocardium nuttalii but also I had the opportunity to learn about sturgeon and trout,
see tanks with a variety of marine and freshwater organisms such as oysters, mussels,
sea urchins, sea cucumbers, geoducks, sea stars and ornamental fish. The small
aquaponic system integrating fish culture with vegetable culture was another different experience.
Canada Report 2009 Page 5
Most interesting was the experiment which is being carried out to analyze the differences of sand substrate and water column for growing the cockles which I had opportunity to see and help on and also the genome research because the cockle culture is
in the early stages could be essential for identifying possibly diseases. I went on an
hour field trip to the experimental site and l worked in the microalgae sector, sampling and counting to feed the brood stocks.
I will never forget the visit I had with Dr. Bill (Dr. Bill Pennell) about teaching skills,
very important for my career. I visited the library with Andrea where we accessed the
database and had many documents that I do not have access to in Brazil and Mozambique which I will use in my studies and work.
The photos show me at the sturgeon and trout tanks, and with geoduck and purple sea
urchin. I ate strawberries fertilized with fish excrement from aquaponic system! On
the next page I am with Andrea at the CSR experimental field site cleaning water filters and showing the small cockles in the sand substrate.
Canada Report 2009 Page 6
Pacific SEA farm, Kyuquot Sound
From books and internet I was familiar with integrated multi-trophic aquaculture and
I now had the opportunity to see in situ how the huge system runs, amazing. I saw
the integration of fish, bivalves, sea cucumbers and kelp culture and learned how the
system is designed in order to work properly for the effective use of nutrients and
worked in the typical rain of the rain forest, feeding the fish. I experienced first hand
the kelp taste test with Dr. Steve. The photos show me feeding Black Cod, inspecting
algae, collecting, packing and delivering scallops aboard the Kyuquot SEA farm boat.
Canada Report 2009 Page 7
Canada Report 2009 Page 8
Cortes Island
During the 4 days of the visit to the Cortes Island I saw the type of mariculture that
can be developed with small growers, artisanal like, aggregated in a cooperative for
both culture and commercialization. The organization is impressive and I visited 5
growers were I learnt about different issues on oyster cultivation in Cortes, from seed
collection using oyster shells to remote settling of larvae. Working under beautiful
sunny days, I produced collectors, watched the different stages of seeds for both
natural collection and remote settling. I had a short training on remote settling of
oysters under very simple conditions with an acceptable survival rate, about 15%, using shell powder.
Another important point was the opportunity to see and help on the project of assessment of oyster predation by crabs and birds, how the system to avoid crab predation
was built and how to sample and assess populations.
Cortes Island
Placing the oyster shells with seed in the rope and fixing the rope on the raft under
Julia’s supervision.
Canada Report 2009 Page 9
After work,
Julia, Jessica
and I explored the
life on Cortes
beaches.
Counting and checking the oysters during the low tide to see the crab predation and
handling under David’s supervision.
Katy, Jessica and I taking the settled seeds from 48hrs settling and fixing the bucket
with the seed in the raft.
Canada Report 2009 Page 10
Open Days
I explored Victoria and went to Vancouver Aquarium, the Canada Day party was good
to relax and see the biggest party of Canada.
Canada Report 2009 Page 11
Acknowledgments:
To each person, my huge Kanimambo (thanks) for having me at your place, sharing
your knowledge and giving me all the support during my stay in Canada. Thanks to:
•
•
•
Organizing committee of 2009
WSES
SOED Project
Cortes Island:
◊
Julia and Marcel
◊
Katy and Victor
◊
David
◊
Jack Littlepage
◊
Regina Tiba
John
◊
◊
Jessica Anderson
Kristen
◊
Kyuquot SEA farm:
◊
•
•
Stephen Cross
Salt Spring Island Mussel Hatchery
◊
Grant Hunt
•
CSR - VIU:
◊
Bill Pennell
◊
Helen
◊
Gordon
◊
Simon
◊
Andrea
Thanks to 2009 WSES and the SOED project for financial support