DTU Aqua Shellfish Center and the Limfjord

DTU Aqua - Danish Shellfish Center
Photo credit: Diana Payne

I traveled to Nykøbing Mors 6-9 October to meet with staff at the DTU Aqua Shellfish Center. The Center officially became part of DTU Aqua in 2014, and the Danish royalty made a visit  to the Center in September.

DTU Aqua Shellfish Center
Photo Credit: Diana Payne

My office at the Shellfish Center
Photo credit: Diana Payne

The Center is located on the beautiful Limfjord in North Jutland. It is not a true fjord in terms of geology, but the fjord in Danish can generally refer to a waterway. Presently, the Limfjord has access to the ocean on two sides. This is only true as of 1825 - prior to then there was only one opening  to the east from the time of the early Middle Ages. In 1825, the North Sea broke through from the west and created a second opening, turning the northern part of Jutland Vendsyssel-Thy into an island.

I worked closely with Paula Canal-Verges and Carsten Fomsgaard Nielsen to 1) develop an evaluation plan for the outreach program, and 2) assist in working through the SeaChange Blue Schools concept to help develop the pilot program in Denmark.

Developing logic models for the education programs.
Photo credit: Carsten Fomsgaard Nielsen

The focus of the Shellfish Center is research, but since 2013 they have also developed an outreach and dissemination component based on coupling the research and development activities. The audience focus is broad, encompassing schools, tourists (Danish and international), and companies and associations. DTU staff provide school based programs and facility tours.

Shellfish Center Director Jens Kjerulf Petersen leads a tour.
Photo credit: Diana Payne

The tours include focus on mussel production (long line), getting people out on the water, the oyster hatchery, lobster hatchery and an occasional culinary event. The Dissemination Center website is currently available only in Danish, although an English version is under construction.

Examples of long lines for fieldwork
Photo credit: Diana Payne

Experiments in cultivating mussels
Photo credit: Diana Payne

Close up of mussel cultivation
Photo credit: Diana Payne

Mussel production showcased in tank in the lobby.
Photo credit: Diana Payne

DTU Aqua Shelfish Center lobster hatchery.
Photo credit: Diana Payne

Lobster molts.
Photo credit: Diana Payne

DTU Aqua Shellfish Center oyster hatchery.
Photo credit: Diana Payne

Various life stages of the oyster.
Photo credit: Diana Payne

Oyster production from the hatchery.
Photo credit: Diana Payne

In the lab.
Photo credit: Diana Payne

Cultivating algae.
Photo credit:
Diana Payne

Close up of algae cultivation.
Photo credit: Diana Payne

Paula Canal-Verges in the lab.
Photo credit: Diana Payne

Part of the DTU Aqua Shellfish Center fleet.
Photo credit: Diana Payne

The official oyster and mussel premiere took place on Saturday October 10 to celebrate the opening of oyster and mussel season. In preparation, the DTU Aqua Shellfish Center staff were quite busy on Friday. Center Director  Jens Kjerulf Petersen was in Copenhagen offering the Prince Consort the first official oyster, and Carsten Fomsgaard Nielsen was preparing for a television interview about the first hatchery cultivated oysters ready to eat!

Although not widely consumed in Denmark, shellfish from the Limfjord are excellent!
Photo credit: Diana Payne