Aquaculture Activities Regulations

Overview

The Aquaculture Activities Regulations (AAR) clarify conditions under which aquaculture operators may install, operate, maintain or remove an aquaculture facility, or undertake measures to treat their fish for disease and parasites, as well as deposit organic matter, under sections 35 and 36 of the Fisheries Act. The AAR allow aquaculture operators to do so within specific restrictions to avoid, minimize and mitigate any potential detriments to fish and fish habitat. The regulations also impose specific environmental monitoring and sampling requirements on the industry.

Requirements

Annual reports

These regulations require aquaculture owners and operators to submit annual reports on their activities to the appropriate Regional Aquaculture Management Office no later than April 1 of the year following the year being reported on. For annual reporting, the AAR reporting template may be used to record required information.

Notices

As outlined in the guidance document, these regulations also require aquaculture owners and operators to notify DFO of:

their intent to deposit pest control products
any morbidity events they observe
any exceedances of biological oxygen demanding thresholds
when they submit an application to a provincial or territorial authority for a new or expanded site

Reporting templates

Submit your annual reporting forms online

Access all 4 annual reporting forms required and submit no later than April 1 of the year following the year being reported.

For example: The last day you can submit your reporting for 2022 is April 1, 2023.

You will receive confirmation of your submitted report for your records.

If you cannot access the online form to submit your reports, you may request PDF and excel versions from your regional aquaculture management office.

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