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 B.C. Ministry of Forests, 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 other applicable permits and authorizations required before commencing aquaculture.

Aquatic species at risk collection permit

Species at Risk Act
Approved Species at Risk permits may be required prior to submitting an aquaculture application depending on if the species is 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 before construction begins.

Freshwater use authorization

B.C. Ministry of Forests
Licence required to divert, use or store surface water or ground water or to make changes in and about a stream.

Wastewater/effluent/discharge authorizations

B.C. Ministry of Environment and Climate Change Strategy
Written permission to release waste into the environment under the Environmental Management Act.

Aquaculture zoning

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

Utility tenure

Ministry of Forests
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)
Authorization to intentionally release and/or transfer live aquatic organisms into fish bearing waters or fish-rearing facilities.

Species import permit

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

Access to wild resources licence

Federal/Provincial Introductions and Transfers Committee (ITC)
Licence required when collection of wild stock for broodstock purposes is planned.

Caution

Applicants must ensure aquaculture projects avoid impacts which alter, disrupt, or cause harm to fish or fish habitat, or they could face potential charges under the Fisheries Act. Please contact DFO at DFO.AQFW-AQFW.MPO@dfo-mpo.gc.ca for more information.