Roles and Responsibilities

It's all about partnership

Aquaculture in Canada is a shared responsibility. Fisheries and Oceans Canada partners closely with other federal government departments, the provinces and territories, and the aquaculture industry to support sustainability in Canada’s farmed fish and shellfish sectors.

In a general thematic sense, the roles of governments and industry in the areas of environmental, social and economic responsibility break down as follows:

Environmental Protection

Governments are responsible for establishing and enforcing clear, science-based standards and operating protocols to preserve healthy and productive ecosystems.

Industry is responsible for upholding environmental integrity and maintaining healthy and productive ecosystems.

Social Licence

Governments are responsible for collecting, compiling and communicating objective data and information regarding the sustainability of the sector in order to foster accessible and transparent decision-making.

Industry is responsible for sharing relevant data and information on the scope of their operations, and foracting as good corporate citizens in the communities where they operate.

Economic Prosperity

Governments are responsible for supporting innovation and providing a policy and regulatory framework that enables the sector to pursue responsible and sustainable growth and development.

Industry is responsible for continuous improvement in sustainable development that brings employment and prosperity to rural and coastal communities.

More specifically, the roles and responsibilities of Fisheries and Oceans, our federal partners, provinces and territories, and industry include the following:

The role of Fisheries and Oceans Canada

Fisheries and Oceans Canada has the overall federal lead in ensuring that aquaculture is managed sustainably across the country. We create the conditions necessary for a vibrant and innovative aquaculture industry that respects the environment and benefits Canadians. We do so by:

• Establishing effective laws and regulations in our own areas of responsibility, as well as providing national guidance and advice to others
• Investing in science and research
• Supporting industry innovation and development

The role of our federal partners

Many federal government departments and agencies are involved in regulating the industry and in providing services and programs for the aquaculture industry. More information on their individual roles can be found in our Roles and Responsibilities Fact Sheet.

We work with our federal partners to:

• Regulate for the conservation and protection of wild fishery stocks and habitat, and for the proper management and control of fisheries
• Perform scientific research and development
• Regulate therapeutic drugs and vaccines
• Regulate fish products marketed in Canada and internationally
• Regulate the importation of fish products into Canada and between provinces
• Regulate the safety of shellfish
• Provide training and development for the industry
• Promote Canadian aquaculture products in international markets

The role of the provinces and territories

Canada’s provincial and territorial governments play an essential role in regulating operations and fostering development of their aquaculture industries. They use their own acts and regulations to:

• Administer (or issue) Crown leases for aquaculture sites (except in Prince Edward Island where this is a Fisheries and Oceans role)
• Issue licenses and permits
• Regulate waste management, fish health, fish escapes, and more

Coordination of federal and provincial activities is facilitated by the Canadian Council of Fisheries and Aquaculture Ministers (CCFAM) and its Strategic Management Committee on Aquaculture. These groups facilitate relationships among federal and provincial/territorial governments and the industry sectors they represent.

The role of the aquaculture industry

The acquaculture industry plays an active, hands-on role in the sustainability of their operations. Some aquaculture companies and industry associations have developed their own Codes of Practice to manage environmental impacts while other operators are seeking certification against  internationally-recognized standards. Learn more about aquaculture certification initiatives in the Measuring Sustainability section of this site.

Learn more:

• Roles and Responsibilities Fact Sheet
• Legislation