Canadian oysters at present. Canadian oysters have a good reputation for quality and flavour worldwide. The technique Rod and his team have developed can clear the MSX virus from the oysters completely, using a combination of environmental variables and the oyster’s natural immune response. INNOVA Corp contributed funding to develop a business plan, and the Shannon School of Business at CBU is developing that plan as an in-kind contribution. Rod’s request today is for input, comments, and “moral” support. Community support is very important to the project team.

Discussion and Questions; Albert Marshall asked several questions regarding the sustainability of the aquaculture venture. Rod reassured the audience that the number of oysters, food, and location for the project were chosen with the natural limits of the Bras d’Or in mind. Lindsay Marshall also commented that the intent was to do something good, for the environment (by restoring a natural species to the waters) and for the rural economy.

## 7. Review of Workplan Priorities:

- • Bras d’Or Lakes Organizations Group (David Duggan) • Bras d’Or Lakes Organizations Group (David Duggan)

The impetus for forming this group came from Dan’s talking to BLBRA leaders last October. Realizing that the CEPI Spirit document launch and the celebration of the UNESCO designation for the Bras d’Or watershed were quite close together (July 8 and September 17 respectively), we wanted to discuss how not to overshadow one another’s accomplishments or confuse the public, and also how to work together toward our common goals. Many significant groups are taking the lead in various ways with diverse foci in conservation and sustainable development around the Lakes. The CEPI and the BLBRA both engage other organizations in their work (and depend on their moral and in-kind support) and we want to ensure everyone’s resources are used effectively and efficiently.

The first meeting of the broader group of Bras d’Or Organizations was held April 19. This was an excellent venue for bringing the various groups up to date on one another’s activities, and it was quickly clear that there is lots of work being done, some of it similar and some quite different. The greatest value of this meeting was the information sharing and networking accomplished. All attending felt it was worthwhile to keep this going, and it was agreed to have the next meeting in May.

NEXT STEPS: After the major events over, the group will reconvene and decide how they will move forward together. The potential is for the creation of a “made in Cape Breton “ way of managing planning in the Bras d’Or Lakes watershed and also to put a spotlight for the world on the Lakes via the UNESCO Biosphere Reserve. The tone is positive, and there is much support for this locally rooted group. The wish is to make sure this is a community based group, and not government. One of the next steps will be to branch out to include other organizations based in subwatersheds, etc.

Catherine Ann Fuller remarked that the Bras d’Or Lakes Festival association probably a good additions to this assembly. The festival association finds festivals and events around the Bras d’Or and builds or adds on to them, plus connects them to other events and publicizes as a unit.

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