Federal/provincial authorizations for land-based aquaculture facilities in B.C.

In order to operate in British Columbia (B.C.), land-based aquaculture facilities must obtain authorizations provided by Fisheries and Oceans Canada (DFO), Transport Canada, and he B.C. Ministry of Water, Land and Resource Stewardship, as presented below. The review process to acquire these authorizations occurs through a harmonized process with applications submitted to FrontCounter B.C.

Additional potential federal/provincial authorizations

Below is a list of additional authorizations that may be required for land-based aquaculture facilities. This list is not exhaustive and it is the applicant’s responsibility to ensure they receive any and all applicable permits and authorizations required before commencing aquaculture.

Aquatic species at risk collection permit

Species at Risk Act
Species at Risk permits are required prior to submitting an aquaculture licence application if the specie(s) cultured are listed as protected under the Species at Risk Act.

Land-based finfish waste discharge registration

B.C. Ministry of Environment and Climate Change Strategy
Registration required for freshwater land-based finfish facilities prior to construction.

Freshwater use authorization

B.C. Ministry of Water, Land and Resource Stewardship
A licence is required to divert, use or store surface orground water or to make changes in and about a stream.

Wastewater/effluent/discharge authorizations

B.C. Ministry of Environment and Climate Change Strategy
Under the Environmental Management Act, written permission is required prior to releasing waste into the environment.

Aquaculture zoning

Applicants must ensure property is zoned for aquaculture use (e.g. municipal zoning, Agricultural Land Reserve, etc.)

Utility tenure

B.C. Ministry of Water, Land and Resource Stewardship
Authorization is required when utilities are located on Crown land, whether buried underground, hung on poles or sunk/buried underwater. A provincial utility tenure is required for aquaculture facilities that have water intakes directly from marine or freshwater sources (i.e. marine saltwater intake or outflow lines).

Other authorizations

It is the applicant’s responsibility to ensure they obtain all other authorizations (e.g. business licences, health operating permits, etc.). Additional authorizations may be required depending on circumstances, such as location of facility and type of species.

After all agency authorizations and DFO aquaculture licence have been issued:

Introductions and transfers licence

Federal/Provincial Introductions and Transfers Committee (ITC)
An authorization is required prior to intentionally releasing and/or transferring live aquatic organisms into water frequented by fish or fish-rearing facilities.

Species import permit

Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA)
An import permit or other documentation may be required prior to importing aquatic organisms to Canada, depending on the susceptibility of the aquatic animal to Canada’s diseases of concern.

Access to wild resources licence

Federal/Provincial Introductions and Transfers Committee (ITC)
A licence is required prior to collecting wild stock for broodstock purposes.

Caution

Applicants must ensure aquaculture projects avoid impacts which alter, disrupt, or cause harm to fish or fish habitat. Unauthorized impacts could result in potential charges under the Fisheries Act.

Please contact DFO at DFO.AQFW-AQFW.MPO@dfo-mpo.gc.ca for more information.

Version dated 01 July 2025