Aquaculture - Vision

DFO's vision for aquaculture development in Canada is "to benefit Canadians through the culture of aquatic organisms while upholding the ecological and socio-economic values associated with Canada's oceans and inland waters."

This vision is consistent with the departmental mission of working toward safe, healthy, productive waters and aquatic ecosystems for the benefit of present and future generations by maintaining the highest possible standards of service to Canadians, conservation and sustainable resource use, scientific excellence, and marine safety and environmental protection. Further, it supports DFO's mandate, which states that DFO is responsible for policies and programs:

• in support of Canada's economic, ecological and scientific interests in oceans and inland waters;
• for the conservation and sustainable utilisation of Canada's fisheries resources in marine and inland waters;
• for leading and facilitating federal policies and programs on oceans; and
• for safe, effective and environmentally sound marine services responsive to the needs of Canadians in a global economy.

DFO's vision for aquaculture goes beyond food production and includes other benefits that can be derived through innovative biomedical and bioengineering applications of aquaculture products.

Achieving DFO's vision for aquaculture will require a continued re-orientation of departmental values, within DFO's existing mandate, and a firm commitment by all DFO employees to develop and implement an enabling regulatory framework and policy environment for sustainable aquaculture. As an organisation with core competencies in the areas of fish habitat protection, environmental and biological science, fisheries management, navigational safety and oceanography, DFO is well suited to address several important issues associated with the aquaculture sector.

However, achieving DFO's vision will also require that the department continue to broaden its approach and, where relevant, increase the level of importance it places on the socio-economic benefits of aquaculture development. This is provided for in DFO's legislation, vision and mandate and is of fundamental importance in achieving DFO's vision for aquaculture development. Achieving DFO's vision will also require that DFO work collaboratively with the aquaculture and wild fisheries industries to identify common interests and opportunities for mutually beneficial cooperation.