PRACTICE AND (Ac.) 400 algae fouling season, and/or timing of gear DEFINITION deployment to miss barnacle and other Actions that reduce, clean or remove biofouling fouling organism recruitment. organisms and other waste from bivalve production areas while minimizing Clean and remove biofouling organisms environmental risk. frequently to facilitate shellfish health and growth, replacing containment gear with new and/or biofoul free equipment when PURPOSE necessary. Minimize adverse impacts of shellfish aquaculture operations and gear on water, Cycle off-bottom containment gear used for epifaunal culture with redundant gear plant, animal and human resources for collection, transport and treatment of Ensure dependable water quantity and biofouling. quality to support shellfish production Clean gear on-shore when biofouling Ensure adequate food quantity and quality includes aquatic nuisance species (ANS) to support shellfish production that cannot be cleaned in a lethal and environmentally responsible manner CONDITIONS WHERE APPLIES site, or when biofouling will result in excessive organic loading. Near-shore, intertidal and subtidal areas where bivalve aquaculture occurs. Avoid the return of fouling organisms and macro algae into surface waters in a CRITERIA manner or volume that may cause local environmental degradation. General Criteria Locate all bivalve shellfish aquaculture Use only environmentally appropriate production sites and associated activities in biofoul control methods, including, but not accordance with regulatory guidance, including limited to: air drying, brine dip, vinegar dip, marking and recording requirements. fresh water dip, sweeping or power washing. Minimize the impact of sediment manipulation on adjacent and off-site areas. Collect, transport and dispose of waste gear on-shore, in a manner that is timely Maintain adequate water flow through the and does not cause environmental production area by using husbandry practices degradation. including, but not limited to, the following: Manage the risk of accidental loss of and/or Monitor containment gear and damage to aquaculture gear within the equipment regularly for biofouling. environment due to inadequate securing, Minimize or avoid detrimental build-up of excessive fouling, and ice or hazardous fouling organisms through such practices weather damage by adopting the following as periodic flipping of bottom or surface actions: culture gear, net/screen removal prior to
(Ac.) 400 DEFINITION Actions that reduce, clean or remove biofouling organisms and other waste from bivalve production areas while minimizing environmental risk. PURPOSE Minimize adverse impacts of shellfish aquaculture operations and gear on water, plant, animal and human resources Ensure dependable water quantity and quality to support shellfish production Ensure adequate food quantity and quality to support shellfish production CONDITIONS WHERE PRACTICE APPLIES Near-shore, intertidal and subtidal areas where bivalve aquaculture occurs. CRITERIA General Criteria Locate all bivalve shellfish aquaculture production sites and associated activities in accordance with regulatory guidance, including marking and recording requirements. Minimize the impact of sediment manipulation on adjacent and off-site areas. Maintain adequate water flow through the production area by using husbandry practices including, but not limited to, the following: Monitor containment gear and equipment regularly for biofouling. Minimize or avoid detrimental build-up of fouling organisms through such practices as periodic flipping of bottom or surface culture gear, net/screen removal prior to algae fouling season, and/or timing of gear deployment to miss barnacle and other fouling organism recruitment. Clean and remove biofouling organisms frequently to facilitate shellfish health and growth, replacing containment gear with new and/or biofoul free equipment when necessary. Cycle off-bottom containment gear used for epifaunal culture with redundant gear for collection, transport and treatment of biofouling. Clean gear on-shore when biofouling includes aquatic nuisance species (ANS) that cannot be cleaned in a lethal and environmentally responsible manner or when biofouling will result in excessive organic loading. Avoid the return of fouling organisms and macro algae into surface waters in a manner or volume that may cause local environmental degradation. Use only environmentally appropriate biofoul control methods, including, but not limited to: air drying, brine dip, vinegar dip, fresh water dip, sweeping or power washing. Collect, transport and dispose of waste gear on-shore, in a manner that is timely and does not cause environmental degradation. Manage the risk of accidental loss of and/or damage to aquaculture gear within the environment due to inadequate securing, excessive fouling, and ice or hazardous weather damage by adopting the following actions: AND site,
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