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Evaluating Clam Diseases and Environmental Interactions in Bay of Fundy, NS Coasts

Study on disease prevalence in clam species, population dynamics, and environmental impact in Bay of Fundy coasts. No diseases found, healthy clam populations. Sediment plays role in distribution. Future steps for enhancement of soft shell clam beds.

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Evaluating Clam Diseases and Environmental Interactions in Bay of Fundy, NS Coasts

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  1. G. McCallum G. McCallum Health and environmental interactions in two clam species in the Bay of Fundy, NS www By Angeline LeBlanc, Marc Ouellette, Michelle Maillet & Mary Stephensen

  2. Context • Mya arenaria & Mercenaria mercenaria – species of interest for the diversification of aquaculture • Trials with different culture techniques in the region (PEI, NB) • Haemic neoplasia at the end of the ’90’s • Trials with M. mercenaria notata • QPX • NS- leases for contaminated fishery with potential for enhancement

  3. G. McCallum Objectives • Evaluate the prevalence of mollusc diseases in relation to population dynamics and environmental conditions • Survey for endemic diseases such as haemic neoplasia and QPX • Detection of carrier species for OIE listed diseases found in this region (ex: MSX)

  4. Study sites

  5. Yarmouth

  6. The Joggins

  7. Moose River

  8. Upper Clements

  9. Five Islands

  10. St Mary’s Bay

  11. Disease Atlantic Canada’s Haemic History Malpeque Bay 1999 - 95% Upper Bay of Fundy 1986 - 22-31% (Morrison et al 1993) Lower Bay of Fundy 1986 - 0-6.3% (Morrison et al 1993) Atlantic Canada - Lower Bay of Fundy & Southern Gulf of St. Lawrence 1990-1999: 0-11% (McGladdery & MacCallum, unpublished data)

  12. Disease Atlantic Canada’s Haemic History Malpeque Bay 1999 - 95% Upper Bay of Fundy 1986 - 22-31% (Morrison et al 1993) Lower Bay of Fundy 1986 - 0-6.3% (Morrison et al 1993) Atlantic Canada - Lower Bay of Fundy & Southern Gulf of St. Lawrence 1990-1999: 0-11% (McGladdery & MacCallum, unpublished data)

  13. Disease Atlantic Canada’s QPX History Southern Gulf of St. Lawrence 1990-1998: 0- 80% (MacCallum & McGladdery, 2000) Bay of Fundy: Sam Orr’s Pond1997-1998: 0-20% St Mary’s Bay1998: 0%

  14. Disease • 2005-2007: No haemic neoplasia, no QPX • Some common pests found in bivalves and in Atlantic Canada but do not cause diseases or mortalities

  15. Population

  16. Environmental conditions

  17. Sediment characteristics Annapolis Basin

  18. Sediment characteristic

  19. The Joggins

  20. Five Islands

  21. Five Islands

  22. Five Islands

  23. Conclusions • No diseases were found on any of the beaches • Good general health = well fed, presence of gonads • Environment did not explain distribution but sediment are important • not enough stations? • Environmental conditions • Slight differences between beaches but not clear how it affects clam numbers • S2- varies in time, always at normal levels • Organic matter and sediment characteristic varied slightly with time • Next step – Culture -based enhancement and management of soft shell clam (Mya arenaria) beds in western Nova Scotia

  24. THANK YOU!!! ACRDP (financing ) Innovative Fisheries Products (partner) IFP Scientific team : Leah Hamilton DFO Scientific team: Carla Barkhouse, Philipe St. Onge, JF Mallet, Marie-Line Cournoyer, Maryse Cousineau

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