Marine Algae (Phytoplankton)

As primary producers in the oceans, phytoplankton are crucial to the development and survival of all marine living organisms. The Marine Algae Program includes the cultivation of species of phytoplankton as nutritional food for aquacultured bivalves, first-feed organisms for finfish, and conditioning or maintenance of experimental shellfish. Conditions for algal growth are manipulated to afford nutritionally balanced diets for molluscan bivalve larvae, rotifers, Artemia and other zooplankton. Changes to the biochemical components or nutritional condition of organisms subjected to microalgal feeding are identified to optimize food requirements for growth and survival.

Certain species of microalgae are harmful or toxic to other marine organisms and when the phycotoxins are concentrated into filter-feeding organisms, such as oysters, clams and mussels they become hazardous to the consuming public. Research is directed at assessing seasonal and geographic distribution of phycotoxins on the coast of British Columbia, and on the uptake and clearance of biotoxins from commercial species of shellfish. The principal aim of the toxic algae research is to mitigate the adverse economic effects on the traditional and aquacultured fisheries.

As a highly trained professional team in phytoplankton biology and analytical chemistry, recent studies have included feeding invoked changes to the biochemical and nutritional condition of the rotifer (Brachionus plicatilis), the brine shrimp (Artemia), the Japanese scallop (Mizuhopecten yessoensis), the rock scallop (Crassadoma gigantea), the Pacific oyster (Crassostrea gigas), the halibut (Hippoglossus stenolepis) and the blackcod (Anoplopoma fimbria). Seasonal domoic acid toxicity of the razor clam (Siliqua patula), physiological effects of this toxin on the Pacific oyster (Crassostrea gigas), and uptake and clearance rates of domoic acid from many molluscan bivalves have been conducted. Analytical instrumentation and protocols in chemistry have also been applied to extensive studies on pigmentation of pen-reared salmonids. The program offers partners in research a wide range of analytical chemistry and microalgae cultivation expertise.

Contact:
Dr. J.N.C. (Ian) Whyte
Tel: (250) 756-7007
FAX: (250) 756-7053
E-mail: ian.whyte@dfo-mpo.gc.ca