Bras d'Or Lake is located in Nova Scotia and consists of a salt - water estuary watershed 'inland sea'. The terrestrial, marine and coastal habitats provide a home for human populations, as well as other organisms. The original settlers colonized the region following the retreat of glaciers, and today their descendants make up the Mi'kmaq populations. The area sustained the Mi'kmaq people for millennia. With European settlement, the region's economy shifted to an industrial model that ultimately proved to be unsustainable. There has been a long struggle here to find sustainable industry with the oyster. For over 40 years, aquaculture has played a key role in the area's economy. However, in 2002, the parasite M.S.X. killed over 90% of the oysters in Cape Breton's Bras d'Or Lake. Using science and traditional Mi'kmaq knowledge, people are finding innovative ways to recover this most sustainable local industry.

pt. 1. People are Part of the Biosphere: Striking Balance Series 1, Ep. 1 -- pt. 2. The Resilience of the Oyster: Striking Balance Series 1, Ep. 1 -- pt. 3. The Mi'kmaw Relationship with the Oyster and Bras d'Or: Striking Balance Series 1, Ep. 1 -- pt. 4. The Significance of the Oyster in Aquaculture: Striking Balance Series 1, Ep. 1 -- pt. 5. Destruction of MSX: Striking Balance Series 1, Ep. 1 -- pt. 6. Marble Mountain and Baddeck: Striking Balance Series 1, Ep. 1 -- pt. 7. Bras d'Or Becomes a Biosphere Reserve: Striking Balance Series 1, Ep. 1 -- pt. 8. Hope Remains in Adaptation: Striking Balance Series 1, Ep. 1.