Shellfish Farming

Shellfish & Marine Resources

Port Hardy and the surrounding North Island waters have a deep and enduring history of shellfish harvesting and marine stewardship, rooted in the knowledge and practices of local First Nations. For generations, coastal communities have sustainably harvested shellfish and other underutilized marine species for food, trade, and cultural use.

Today, the pristine, cold, nutrient-rich waters around Port Hardy present significant opportunities for the development of high-quality shellfish aquaculture and value-added seafood products, blending traditional knowledge with modern innovation.

Kwakiutl First Nation

The Kwakiutl First Nation holds traditional territories that are ideally suited for shellfish farming and the harvesting of underutilized marine resources. The community has extensive experience harvesting and processing a wide variety of marine products, including:

Kelp, herring roe, Dungeness crab, shrimp, prawns, scallops, mussels, oolichan oil, sea cucumber, sea asparagus, smoked and candied salmon, clams, oysters, barnacles, octopus, squid, geoduck, sea urchin, and wild salmon species such as sockeye, coho, chinook, chum, and pink.

This depth of expertise positions the Kwakiutl First Nation as a key contributor to sustainable seafood production, processing, and innovation in the region.

Gwa’sala-‘Nakwaxda’xw First Nation

The Gwa’sala-‘Nakwaxda’xw First Nation has a strong interest in shellfish aquaculture development, as well as the commercial harvesting of culturally significant seafood products. These include seaweed and other marine species known for their natural healing and wellness properties. Their approach reflects a balance between economic opportunity, cultural values, and environmental responsibility.

Quatsino First Nation

The Quatsino First Nation has recently partnered with Blue Frontier to establish a new shellfish farming industry. This long-term initiative focuses on cultivating an innovative mussel species known as the Golden Mussel™.

Designed as a cooperative business venture, the project creates opportunities for First Nations entrepreneurs to participate in shellfish farming and develop their own businesses within the industry. The Quatsino First Nation is actively encouraging community members interested in aquaculture and value-added seafood production to become involved.

The Quatsino also maintain strong historical and contemporary connections with Asian markets. In the late 1800s and early 1900s, the Nation participated in sealing expeditions alongside Japanese partners. Today, new business relationships are being developed with China and Korea through the Quatern Joint Venture, supporting international trade and collaboration.