Manatee Holdings Ltd. · sustainableaquaculture.ca · Courtenay, British Columbia
Sustainability Report
2025
Premium BC Shellfish. Measured environmental performance. Three generations of ocean experience.
This report presents the results of Manatee Holdings' 2025 independent lifecycle assessment (LCA) of geoduck production, conducted by Blue Food Performance. It provides transparent, evidence-based disclosure of our environmental footprint and our roadmap for continuous improvement.
| LCA Assessor | Blue Food Performance |
| Standard | ISO 14040/44 |
| Method | EF 3.0 |
| Boundary | Cradle-to-gate |
| Date | August 2025 |
Our Commitment
Our Commitment
Manatee Holdings Ltd. was founded in 1988 on a simple principle: produce premium shellfish using methods that work with nature, not against it. Three generations later, that principle has become a measurable commitment. In 2025, we commissioned Blue Food Performance to conduct an independent lifecycle assessment of our geoduck operations — the first of our species to undergo this verification. This report presents those results honestly, with full methodology disclosure and a clear roadmap for improvement.
Three Pillars of Our Approach
Transparency
We publish our LCA results in full — methodology, boundary, assessor, date and limitations — so buyers, investors, and partners can evaluate our claims with confidence.
Continuous Improvement
Our LCA identified on-site energy use as the primary driver of environmental impact. We have a concrete roadmap to reduce our geoduck carbon footprint from 0.16 to ~0.09 lbs CO₂eq/lb geoduck through renewable energy transition by 2027.
Honest Scope
This LCA covers geoduck production only. We are planning equivalent assessments for our oyster and clam operations in 2026–2027. We do not claim results beyond what the data supports.
Why It Matters
Why Shellfish Aquaculture Has a Distinct Environmental Profile
No External Feed
Geoduck, oysters, and clams are filter feeders. They draw nutrients directly from seawater — no feed production, no feed transport.
Low Land Use
Geoduck farming uses licensed marine areas that do not compete with terrestrial food production. Physical area: ~435 sq ft per 2,205 lbs produced.
Carbon in Shells
Shellfish sequester atmospheric CO₂ in calcium carbonate shells. Our LCA credits ~0.77 lbs CO₂/2,205 lbs geoduck when shells are permanently stored.
Water Quality
Filter-feeding removes excess nutrients from coastal waters during the grow-out period, contributing positively to the local marine environment.
Environmental benefits depend on specific production methods, location, and management practices.
Per 2,205 lbs (1 tonne) Geoduck
Lifecycle Assessment Results
Assessor: Blue Food Performance · Standard: ISO 14040/44 · Method: EF 3.0 · Boundary: Cradle-to-gate · Date: August 2025
Results by Impact Category
GHG impact of producing 2,205 lbs (1 tonne) of geoduck, cradle-to-gate. Includes credit for ~0.77 lbs CO₂ sequestered in shells when permanently stored. Equivalent to 0.16 lbs CO₂eq per 1 lb of geoduck.
Potential contribution to acidifying emissions across the assessed lifecycle stages. Primary driver is on-site energy use. Renewable energy transition (planned 2026) is the key mitigation pathway.
Potential contribution to marine nutrient enrichment. Geoduck require no external feed, which significantly limits this impact compared to fed aquaculture species.
Scarcity-weighted freshwater use across the production system (156 m³ = ~41,200 US gal). Primarily driven by on-site energy consumption rather than direct water withdrawal.
Physical marine area required to produce 2,205 lbs of geoduck. Does not compete with terrestrial food production. Also expressed as 55,404 pts/tonne (ReCiPe endpoint) using a different weighting.
Carbon Footprint in Context
lbs CO₂eq per lb of protein produced
| Source | lbs CO₂eq / lb |
|---|---|
| Beef (avg) | ~43.5 |
| Chicken | 6.9 |
| Farmed Salmon | 3.6 |
| Manatee Geoduck | 0.36 |
Sources: Blue Food Performance LCA (August 2025); Poore & Nemecek (2018), Science. lbs CO₂eq/lb = kg CO₂eq/tonne ÷ 1000. Comparisons are indicative.
These results are specific to Manatee Holdings' geoduck production and should not be generalised to all Manatee products or all shellfish species.
What's Next
Continuous Improvement Roadmap
Our LCA identified on-site energy use as the primary driver of environmental impact. We are implementing the following initiatives across all species operations.
Renewable Heating
Replace propane with electric heat pumps across hatchery operations.
Equipment Electrification
Transition diesel-powered field equipment to electric alternatives where feasible.
On-Site Solar
Install solar panels for auxiliary power at the hatchery facility.
Shell Waste Program
Implement permanent shell storage program to maximise carbon sequestration credit.
Oyster & Clam LCA
Commission independent lifecycle assessments for oyster and Manila clam operations.
Projected Outcome
Renewable energy transition could reduce geoduck carbon footprint from 783 lbs CO₂eq → ~440 lbs CO₂eq per 2,205 lbs geoduck.
Sustainability Disclosure
Environmental performance data in this report is based on Manatee Holdings' 2025 geoduck lifecycle assessment conducted by Blue Food Performance. Results apply to geoduck production only and use a cradle-to-gate boundary. The data does not constitute certification of 'sustainable' status and should not be generalised to all species, all production methods, or all lifecycle stages. Full methodology, assumptions, and raw data are available upon request.
To request the full LCA report, methodology documentation, or energy transition plans: team@manateeholdings.com · sustainableaquaculture.ca
© 2025 Manatee Holdings Ltd. · Courtenay, British Columbia, Canada · sustainableaquaculture.ca