VIU Receives More Than $400,000 Towards Shellfish Research

Dr. Ralph Nilson, President of VIU; Dr. Helen Gurney-Smith, Research Manager, Shellfish Health and Husbandry Research Program; Dr. James Lunney, MP and Brian Kingzett, Deep Bay Marine Field Station Manager.

Vancouver Island University will expand existing research capacity at the Centre for Shellfish Research by establishing a Shellfish Genomics Laboratory  thanks to an investment by the Government of Canada through Western Economic Diversification Canada. 

Federal funding of more than $400,000 was announced today by James Lunney, Member of Parliament for Nanaimo—Alberni, on behalf of the Honourable Rona Ambrose, President of the Queen’s Privy Council for Canada, Minister of Intergovernmental Affairs and Minister of Western Economic Diversification, toward the establishment of a Shellfish Genomics Laboratory at the Centre for Shellfish Research, Vancouver Island University. 

“Our Government’s contribution to this project will ensure Canadians are at the leading-edge of shellfish aquaculture,” said MP Lunney. “Shellfish aquaculture has significant economic potential for coastal communities, and this project will be the first of its kind in British Columbia.”

The funding will support and enhance shellfish genomics research capacity in B.C. through the acquisition and installation of genomic science equipment that will examine biological and environmental stress factors inherent in shellfish. read more