February 15-18, 2009 Washington State Convention Center Seattle ...

THE NEAH BAY GEODUCK AQUACULTURE AND COMPARISON WITH GEOCHEMICAL
STUDIES IN HOOD CANAL
Yongwen Gao
Makah Fisheries Management
PO Box 115
Neah Bay, WA 98357 USA
gaoy@olypen.com
The Makah Fisheries Management (MFM) started a feasibility test on intertidal geoduck aquaculture in Neah Bay beaches
since 2006. To provide technical and scientific support for future commercial geoduck aquaculture in the area, MFM conducted
a geochemical monitoring project from the beginning of tube installation and systematically collected samples from seawater,
geoduck shell and flesh, and environmental parameters (e.g., temperature, salinity, dissolved oxygen, eelgrass, macro-algae,
and sand size and distribution) on a daily basis. Preliminary data showed that the 18 O/ 16 O variations were consistent with seawater
temperature changes in the geoduck beds whereas the Sr/Ca and Fe/Mn ratios were more related to water quality conditions.
The monitoring results appear in agreement with stable isotopic and trace elemental analyses on geoduck shell and seawater
samples from Hood Canal of Puget Sound. If successful, the comparison study may provide the first-hand information about
the geoduck growth, survival strategy, and ocean climate changes in both intertidal and subtidal settings. These geochemical
data and outcomes may also be helpful in estimating the population dynamics of wild geoduck stocks, and make a positive
contribution to the Washington geoduck aquaculture industry and scientific community.
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