Workshop 1: Introduction to Shellfish Aquaculture and the Ventura Shellfish Enterprise
Date: |
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February 16, 2017 |
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Speakers:
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Steve Gaines, Everard Ashworth
<About the Speaker>
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Venue: |
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Channel Islands National Park
Auditorium of the Robert J. Lagomarsino Visitor Center
1901 Spinnaker Dr., Ventura Harbor, CA 93001
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Brief Description
This first workshop of the VSE Public Outreach Program explored the important role for aquaculture in the future of food production and provided a general overview of the Ventura Shellfish Enterprise, a new collaborative project that aims to meet an ever-increasing demand for domestic seafood production with mussel aquaculture.
Workshop 2: Biology of Bivalve Shellfish, Mussel Growing Technology and Equipment
Date: |
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February 23, 2017 |
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Speakers:
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Doug Bush, Scott Lindell
<About the Speaker>
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Venue: |
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Channel Islands National Park
Auditorium of the Robert J. Lagomarsino Visitor Center
1901 Spinnaker Dr., Ventura Harbor, CA 93001
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Brief Description
This workshop provided basic information on the biology of mussels as they relate to production methods and an overview of the rigging and equipment that are currently in use globally for commercial mussel aquaculture operations.
Workshop 3: VSE Economic Impacts and Benefits
Date: |
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March 16, 2017 |
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Speakers:
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Brian Pendleton, Richard Parsons, Everard Ashworth
<About the Speaker>
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Venue: |
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Channel Islands National Park
Auditorium of the Robert J. Lagomarsino Visitor Center
1901 Spinnaker Dr., Ventura Harbor, CA 93001
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Brief Description
During this workshop, Ventura Port District representatives discussed the potential economic benefits of the VSE Project. Preliminary scenarios for economic value of landed product were covered along with financial implications for the Ventura Port District and the broader Ventura community. This workshop also discussed the importance of on-going commercial fishing operations at Ventura Harbor with respect to annual dredging of the Federal channel and the roles of the US Congress and US Army Corps of Engineers. The workshop concluded with a discussion of opportunities for direct and indirect community economic impacts including distribution, infrastructure and maintenance commerce, potential branding retail sales, and other ancillary benefits to existing harbor industries.
Workshop 4: Environmental Effects and Best Management Practices
Date: |
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April 11, 2017 |
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Speaker:
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James Morris
<About the Speaker>
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Venue: |
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Four Points Sheraton Conference Facilities at Ventura Harbor, Clipper Room East
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Brief Description
This workshop focused on opportunities to minimize the risks of environmental impacts (including cumulative impacts or carrying capacity of the region for the project’s planned production) and maximize the benefits of offshore shellfish production through management and design of grower regulations. As the VSE Project develops, growing site lessees will be required to meet or exceed Environmental Codes of Practice (ECP). ECPs will be compiled from one or more seafood stewardship groups (e.g. Monterey Bay Aquarium Seafood Watch program, the World Wildlife Fund Aquaculture Stewardship Council, the Global Aquaculture Alliance’s Best Aquaculture Practices (BAP’s), and Pacific Coast Shellfish Growers Environmental Codes of Practice) and will be tailored to local conditions. During this workshop, data from existing offshore bivalve shellfish operations was presented to help establish context for attendees.
Workshop 5: VSE Production Site Selection
Date: |
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May 11, 2017 |
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Speaker:
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Carrie Kappel
<About the Speaker>
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Venue: |
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Four Points Sheraton Conference Facilities at Ventura Harbor, Clipper Room East
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Brief Description
The objective of this workshop was to establish transparency on site selection criteria. The selection of individual production areas is dependent upon a constellation of different factors (e.g. avoidance of maritime traffic, hard bottom and reef structure, Marine Protected Areas, existing sea floor leases, current use patterns, etc.). These issues were discussed in the context of coastal productivity, proximity to harbor operations, and other key environmental and logistical considerations.
Workshop 6: Becoming a VSE Shellfish Producer
Date: |
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June 1, 2017 |
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Speaker:
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Scott Lindell
<About the Speaker>
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Venue: |
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Four Points Sheraton Conference Facilities at Ventura Harbor, Clipper Room East
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Brief Description
This informational workshop addressed the logistics of becoming a VSE growing site lessee to assist future mussel farmers who wish to begin to build business plans.
Workshop 7: VSE Shellfish Quality and Safety Assurance
Date: |
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June 15, 2017 |
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Speakers:
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Ralph Imondi, Masaaki Hori
<About the Speakers>
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Venue: |
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Four Points Sheraton Conference Facilities at Ventura Harbor, Clipper Room East
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Brief Description
Producing safe, sustainable, and wholesome shellfish is a core value of the Ventura Shellfish Enterprise. As part of this ongoing commitment, VSE members will abide by strict guidelines and preventive safety and monitoring practices to ensure that shellfish are grown in clean waters and when harvested and processed using HACCP Protocols - are free from contaminants that pose health risks. This workshop introduced federal/state guidelines that are enforced by the California Department of Public Health and adopted by VSE members to ensure a locally produced safe and healthful product is available.
Site Selection Workshops flyer
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