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Regulating and monitoring British Columbia’s marine finfish aquaculture facilities 2011–2014

Table of Contents

  1. Summary of marine finfish aquaculture in British Columbia
  2. How aquaculture facilities are regulated
  3. Assessing compliance
    1. How DFO assesses the performance of aquaculture facilities
    2. Enforcement options
    3. Summary of charges and convictions, 2011-2014
    4. Details of Fishery Officer activities
    5. Deficiencies in 2011
    6. Deficiencies in 2012
    7. Deficiencies in 2013
    8. Deficiencies in 2014
  4. Reporting requirements and reports submitted
    1. Overall reporting requirements
    2. Scheduled reports
    3. Incident reports
  5. Monitoring and audits: Fish health
    1. Fish health management plans
    2. Fish health in 2011
    3. Fish health in 2012
    4. Fish health in 2013
    5. Fish health in 2014
    6. Sea Lice
    7. Fish Mortality
  6. Monitoring and audits: Environmental
    1. Benthic (seabed) monitoring
    2. DFO’s Benthic Audit Program
    3. Escapes
    4. Incidental catch
    5. Interactions with marine mammals
    6. Use of lights
    7. Use of chemicals, and feed and other substances
  7. Monitoring and audits: Inventory and aquaculture statistics
    1. Inventory plans and stock transfers
    2. Annual aquaculture statistical report
  8. Summary

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How aquaculture facilities are regulated

DFO responsibilities and licences

The most important pieces of legislation governing marine finfish aquaculture activities in B.C. are the Fisheries Act, the Fishery (General) Regulations and the Pacific Aquaculture Regulations. DFO is responsible for enforcing the Act and regulations.

In B.C., DFO is the primary regulator and manager of the aquaculture industry. Through the B.C. Aquaculture Regulatory Program (BCARP), DFO

Licences for marine finfish facilities under the Pacific Aquaculture Regulations require that all of the following be managed and monitored: which species are cultured, production levels, containment of fish, the introduction and transfer of fish, fish health, incidental catch of wild fish (bycatch), interactions with marine mammals, and the impacts to fish habitat. Additional site specific licence conditions may be imposed where required. DFO has a monitoring, audit, and surveillance program to ensure that each facility complies with its licence conditions.

Responsibilities of other federal agencies

Other federal agencies also have legal responsibilities relating to aquaculture activities. For example, the Canadian Food Inspection Agency has responsibilities under the Health of Animals Act; Health Canada under the Food and Drug Act and the Pest Control Products Act; and Transport Canada under the Canada Shipping Act.

Responsibilities of provincial and local governments

The Province of British Columbia is responsible for issuing Crown land tenures, which authorize the use of Crown land for aquaculture activities, including the use of the seabed under and around finfish facilities. Separate provincial legislation regulates how farmed fish are processed, how the processing wastewater is disposed of, and how dead fish are disposed of on land. Local government is responsible for land zoning and water usage.

More information on aquaculture in B.C. can be found at: http://www.pac.dfo-mpo.gc.ca/aquaculture/index-eng.html.

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