Detailed instructions to apply for introduction or transfer of fish and/or access to wild aquatic resources for aquaculture

This application is only applicable for introduction or transfers of live fish into and within British Columbia. Before submitting an application, please review the information provided on the BC ITC website. Clicking on the underlined headers will open a link to helpful websites. If additional space is required to provide necessary information, please include it as an attachment to the application.

1. Applicant information^*

Please provide your business contact information. All fields are required.

2. Purpose of transfer^*

Select the purpose of the transfer from the drop down menu. If you do not see your purpose listed, please select “other-specify” and the purpose in the text box below.

3. Species information for introduction or transfer

Complete the information for the species you wish to transfer and ensure that the information included in row 1 of the first table corresponds to row 1 of the second table. Information regarding the same species should be reflected across both tables. Please note that all information in this section should be in reference to the source of the fish. Add rows as required.

• Species common name(s) and species scientific name^*: Please provide common name and scientific name of the fish you wish to transfer (Note: both fields link to Fishbase).
• Life stage^*: Choose one from the drop down menu or select “other-specify” and make note of the life stage to be transferred, if the life stage is not listed.
• Brood year^*: Indicate the brood year of the animal, if known.
• Proposed number for transfer^*: Indicate the total number of each species you wish to transfer for the purpose indicated in section 2, for the duration of the transfer period.
• Proposed transfer date^*: Please manually enter if this is a range of dates, if exact date is unknown or if the application is for a blanket licence.
• Stock origin: Indicate the wild origin (location) of the fish, if known.
• Genetic status: Select the genetic status of the fish from the drop down menu. If the genetic status of the fish has been modified (e.g. diploid, triploid), the ITC will need to be aware of the modifications to the species in order to assess whether the strain presents a possible threat to indigenous species.
• Source location of the fish or aquaculture licence #*: Enter the company name or location of the source from which you are receiving the fish. Please include the street address if possible. If you are receiving fish from a licenced aquaculture facility in BC, please enter their aquaculture licence #.
• Shellfish/salmonid transfer zones: If you are proposing to transfer shellfish or salmonids, please select the shellfish/salmonid transfer zone of the source location from the drop down menu. Leave this section blank if you are not transferring a shellfish or salmonid species.
• Nearest town^*: Enter the nearest town to the source location. Enter in the format of: city, province/state. If outside Canada or the US, please also include the country.
• SARA permits^*: Applicants planning to carry out activities that may impact an aquatic species that is protected under the Species at Risk Act (SARA) may require a SARA permit (referred to as a Section 73 permit). More information on how to obtain a SARA permit (Section 73 permit) for aquatic species can be found at the following link: Permitting under the Species at Risk Act.
  Please note: processing of SARA applications may take up to 4 months depending on the complexity of the proposal and the species involved. An introductions and transfers licence will not be issued until a Section 73 permit has been obtained.
• Import from outside Canada^*: Importation of live aquatic animals may require a permit from the CFIA. An introductions and transfers licence is required for release into natural waters, for aquaculture use and for movements to some laboratories.

4. Access to wild aquatic resources for aquaculture purposes^*

See instructions on the form. If you are not requesting collection of wild species for aquaculture purposes, please click on the check box "Access not required, continue to section 5". The Access to Wild Aquatic Resources for Aquaculture Purposes application should be submitted together with the I&T application.

5. Introduction and/or transfer of fish

Please note, a fee of $30 will be will be applied and processed by Front Counter B.C. for the transport of freshwater fish native or non-native to B.C. Exceptions include transport for the purposes of live food trade, aquariums, and transfers of Pacific salmon. No fee is required for marine fish transfers by Fisheries and Oceans Canada. Please complete the Front Counter B.C. payment form and submit with this application, if applicable.

• 5a. Rationale for introduction or transfer^*: Provide the reason for this introduction or transfer.
• 5b. Destination^*: Indicate the transfer destination location.
  • Nearest town^*: Enter the nearest town to the source location. Enter in the format of: city, province/state. If outside Canada or the US, please also include the country.
  • Main mode of transport^*: Select the mode of transport from the drop down menu. If the transfer involves multiple modes of transport, select the mode that represents the longest distance travelled.
  • Destination description: Select the destination description from the drop down options. Leave blank if not applicable.
  • Destination transfer zone^*: Select the shellfish/salmonid transfer zone of the destination from the drop down options. Please leave this section blank if you are not transferring shellfish or salmonid species.
  • Describe method of transport^*: Describe, in detail, how the fish will be transferred from the Source Location to the Destination. Please include information about the mode(s) of transport, storage methods, temperature controls, etc.
• 5c. List intermediate sites and transfer dates, if any: Complete this section if fish will be kept in an intermediate location for more than 24 hours before reaching their destination. Indicate the range of dates that the fish will be kept at any intermediate location(s). Add rows as required.
• 5d. Destination of introduction or transfer^*: Complete any/all relevant sections. Please note that more than one section may be applicable to your transfer. If fish are intended for grow-out in an aquaculture/ enhancement facility prior to eventual release into natural waters, then two separate applications will need to be submitted.
  • 5d.(i) Complete this section if the transfer is for aquaculture or enhancement. Either an aquaculture licence or provincial landfile number should be provided.
  • 5d.(ii) Complete this section if the transfer is to a research, hatchery, or land-based aquaculture facility. Check off all information relevant to the receiving facility.
  • 5d.(iii) Complete this section if the transfer is into natural waters. Check the box if the destination is permanently landlocked, and if not, provide the name of 2 waters downstream of the release location. This section does not apply to commercial aquaculture. All releases of freshwater fish require both provincial and federal endorsement. Releases of marine fish must have federal endorsement.
  • 5d.(iv) Complete this section and provide the final intent for the fish being transferred. Final intents include eventual release into natural waters, transfer to another site for grow out, harvest, the fish will be destroyed, etc.

Acknowledgement

The application will not be considered if the acknowledgement boxes are incomplete. You must be 19 years of age or older to make an application for a permit under the Wildlife Act for freshwater fish transport.

• Apply for introduction or transfer of fish and/or access to wild aquatic resources for aquaculture (British Columbia only)