Pacific aquaculture regulations - annual seafloor inspections

The shellfish aquaculture conditions of licence* specify measures that must be taken to protect fish and fish habitat, including annual seafloor surveys and clean-ups. Shellfish facilities must be inspected for lost gear and efforts must be made to retrieve identified debris.

1. Survey your facility during times of the year when underwater visibility is clearest. Use methods such as a drop camera system, an underwater remotely operated vehicle (ROV), divers, or other effective means. Using professional services is recommended. Surveys are intended to locate debris areas and reduce the time needed for retrieval.
2. Retrieve debris such as plastic tubes, rope, netting, and oyster baskets using divers or other effective means.
3. Dispose of all debris at a marine plastics recycling depot or other land-based facility such as a landfill.
4. Maintain survey and clean-up records as per Appendix V of the shellfish aquaculture licence*.
5. Produce records of your surveys and clean-ups if requested by a fishery officer or fishery guardian.

Enforcement

Failure to comply with a condition of licence can result in a costly violation ticket or charges, resulting in a formal court process.

Shellfish aquaculture conditions of licence (2025) relating to seafloor inspections and clean-up

9. Protection of fish and fish habitat

9.9 All deepwater or subtidal licence holders shall conduct a seafloor inspection of the entire licensed facility annually prior to April 30 and in accordance with Appendix V, unless written authorization is provided from a DFO fishery officer or fishery guardian.

9.10 For all seafloor inspections, the licence holder shall:

1. identify and retrieve debris, refuse, equipment, or gear which is lost to the seafloor or otherwise not functioning as intended;
2. maintain records as outlined in Appendix V for a period of six (6) years;
3. produce records upon request of a fishery officer or fishery guardian, and provide these in the timeframe indicated by the officer or guardian; and
4. dispose of, or recycle all debris, broken or unusable equipment in a lawful manner.

Appendix V: Seafloor inspection and clean-up protocol

Seafloor inspection and clean-up must be conducted annually by April 30.

1. The seafloor survey shall:

1. cover the entire seafloor area within the licensed facility boundaries and anywhere else infrastructure related to the facility is installed; and
2. be completed following best practices, using defensible methodology, and considering underwater visibility.

2. The licence holder must complete a detailed report documenting all items identified during the survey and subsequently retrieved. The report shall be submitted upon request by a fishery officer or fishery guardian.

3. The survey and clean-up report must include:

1. DFO Facility Reference number;
2. BC Land File number, if applicable;
3. name and contact information of the individual or company that conducted the survey and cleanup;
4. date of survey and clean-up(s);
5. description of the survey methodology;
6. table or list of items identified in survey; and
7. depiction of the survey and clean-up area using a visual map; which includes transect lines or other accurate representations of the transects conducted, noting the locations of found debris.

4. All debris items identified within the licensed facility must be retrieved.

Table 1. Example of summary table:

Refer to the Shellfish Aquaculture Licence for all of the conditions of licence: https://www.pac.dfo-mpo.gc.ca/aquaculture/licence-permis/docs/licence-cond-permis-shell-coq/index-eng.html

For more information, please contact DFO.AQSF-AQMC.MPO@dfo-mpo.gc.ca.