Reporting on Introductions and Transfers

In 2022, Introductions and Transfers Committees received 1,041 applications to intentionally move live aquatic organisms across Canada. Of these, 1,005 applications were approved, representing more than 4 billion live aquatic organisms of 754 different species.

Origin

Introductions and transfers may occur within a province, between provinces, and into Canada from another country. Of the total number of approved applications, approximately:

• 70% were for movements within a province
• 19% were for movements between provinces
• 11% were for movements into Canada from another country

Purpose

Of the total number of approved applications:

• 44% were aimed at aquaculture operations
• 19% were aimed at research
• 19% were aimed at enhancement
• 6% were aimed at public display or education
• 4% were aimed at cultural release
• 3% were aimed at processing
• 5% were aimed for other purposes

Types of aquatic organisms

Of the total number of approved applications, approximately:

• 37% were for freshwater finfish
• 26% were for marine finfish
• 26% were for marine molluscs
• 2% were for crustaceans, echinoderms and other invertebrates
• 9% were for various species

In 2022, Alberta’s Introductions and Transfers Committee received 25 applications to intentionally import live aquatic organisms to fish rearing facilities or fish bearing waters. Of these, 23 were approved, representing over 1 million live aquatic organisms of 32 different species.

Origin

Introductions and transfers may occur within a province, between provinces, and into Canada from another country. The Alberta Introductions and Transfers Committee does not review applications for movements of organisms within that province as risks for these movements are addressed by conditions of license under diverse provincial authorizations. Of the total number of approved applications in Alberta, approximately:

• 57% were for movements from another province
• 43% were for movements into Alberta from another country

Purpose

Of the total number of approved applications in Alberta, approximately:

• 65% were aimed at research
• 35% were aimed at aquaculture

Types of aquatic organisms

Of the total number of approved applications in Alberta, approximately:

• 14% were for freshwater finfish
• 4% were for marine finfish
• 4% were for marine molluscs
• 4% were for crustaceans and echinoderms
• 74% were for various species

Most proposed movements were for Rainbow Trout.

In 2022, British Columbia’s Introductions and Transfers Committee received 395 applications to intentionally move live aquatic organisms to fish rearing facilities or fish bearing waters. Of these, 390 were approved, representing approximately 406 million live aquatic organisms of 657 different species.

Origin

Introductions and transfers may occur within a province, between provinces, and into Canada from another country. Of the total number of approved applications in British Columbia, approximately:

• 83% were for movements within the province
• 12% were for movements into British Columbia from another country
• 5% were for movements from another province

Purpose

Of the total number of approved application in British Columbia:

• 28% were aimed at aquaculture
• 23% were aimed at research
• 21% were aimed at enhancement
• 10% were for spiritual or cultural reasons
• 7% were aimed at education and public display
• 11% were aimed for other purposes

Types of aquatic organisms

Of the total number of approved applications in British Columbia, approximately:

• 36% were for freshwater finfish
• 27% were for marine finfish
• 18% were for marine molluscs
• 1% were for crustaceans and echinoderms
• 18% were for various species

Most proposed movements were Rainbow Trout.

More information:

• Shellfish and finfish transfers to and from British Columbia aquaculture sites
• Managing transfers and fish health at British Columbia salmon farms

In 2022, Manitoba’s Introductions and Transfers Committee received 26 applications to intentionally move live aquatic organisms to fish rearing facilities or fish bearing waters. All applications were approved, representing approximately 1.6 million live aquatic organisms of 12 different species. These totals do not include fish that were moved as part of the provincial stocking program, which are considered routine, low risk movements that are not reviewed by the Committee.

Origin

Introductions and transfers may occur within a province, between provinces, and into Canada from another country. Of the total number of approved applications in Manitoba, approximately:

• 62% were for movements within the province
• 27% were for movements from another province
• 11% were for movements into Manitoba from another country

Purpose

Of the total number of approved applications in Manitoba, approximately:

• 23% were aimed at enhancement
• 19% were aimed at aquaculture
• 19% were aimed at research
• 15% were aimed at public display
• 12% were aimed at education
• 12% were for other purposes

Types of aquatic organisms

Of the total number of approved applications in Manitoba, approximately:

• 84% were for freshwater finfish
• 8% were for crustaceans and echinoderms
• 4% were for marine finfish
• 4% were for other invertebrates

Most proposed movements were for Rainbow Trout.

In 2022, the New Brunswick Introductions and Transfers Committee received 144 applications to intentionally move live aquatic organisms to fish rearing facilities or fish bearing waters. Of these, 128 applications were approved, representing more than 88 million live aquatic organisms of 15 different species.

Origin

Introductions and transfers may occur within a province, between provinces, and into Canada from another country. Of the total number of approved applications in New Brunswick, approximately:

• 71% were for movements within the province
• 23% were for movements from another province
• 6% were for movements into New Brunswick from another country

Purpose

Of the total number of approved applications in New Brunswick, approximately:

• 46% were aimed at aquaculture
• 34% were aimed at enhancement
• 13% were aimed at research
• 7% were aimed at public display

Types of aquatic organisms

Of the total number of approved applications in New Brunswick, approximately:

• 78% were for freshwater finfish
• 9% were for crustaceans and echinoderms
• 8% were for marine finfish
• 5% were for marine molluscs

Most proposed movements were for Atlantic Salmon.

In 2022, Newfoundland and Labrador’s Introductions and Transfers Committee received 108 applications to intentionally move live aquatic organisms to fish rearing facilities or fish bearing waters. Of these, 107 applications were approved, representing approximately 475 million live aquatic organisms of 56 different species.

Origin

Introductions and transfers may occur within a province, between provinces, and into Canada from another country. Of the total number of approved applications in Newfoundland and Labrador, approximately:

• 62% were for movements within the province
• 34% were for movements from another province  
• 4% were for movements into Newfoundland and Labrador from another country

Purpose

Of the total number of approved applications in Newfoundland and Labrador, approximately:

• 90% were aimed at aquaculture
• 4% were aimed at public display
• 3% were aimed at research
• 3% were aimed at enhancement, education and other purposes

Types of aquatic organisms

Of the total number of approved applications in Newfoundland and Labrador, approximately:

• 68% were for marine finfish
• 22% were for marine molluscs
• 6% were for freshwater finfish
• 1% were for crustaceans and echinoderms
• 3% were for various species

Most proposed movements were for Atlantic Salmon.

In 2022, Nova Scotia Introductions and Transfers Committee received 131 applications to intentionally move live aquatic organisms to fish rearing facilities or fish bearing waters. Of these, 121 applications were approved, representing approximately 185 million live aquatic organisms of 33 different species.

Origin

Introductions and transfers may occur within a province, between provinces, and into Canada from another country. Of the total number of approved applications in Nova Scotia, approximately:

• 54% were for movements within the province
• 32% were for movements from another province
• 14% were for movements into Nova Scotia from another country

Purpose

Of the total number of approved applications in Nova Scotia, approximately:

• 71% were aimed at aquaculture
• 12% were aimed at enhancement
• 12% were aimed at research
• 5% were for public display and other purposes

Types of aquatic organisms

Of the total number of approved applications in Nova Scotia, approximately:

• 51% were for marine finfish
• 35% were for marine molluscs
• 11% were for freshwater finfish
• 1% were for crustaceans and echinoderms
• 2% were for various species

Most proposed movements were for Atlantic Salmon.

In 2022, Ontario’s Introductions and Transfers Committee did not oversee any applications to intentionally import live aquatic organisms to fish rearing facilities or fish bearing waters. This reporting does not include fish that were moved as part of the provincial stocking program, which are considered routine, low risk movements that are not reviewed by the Committee.

In 2022, Prince Edward Island’s Introductions and Transfers Committee received 135 applications to intentionally move live aquatic organisms to fish rearing facilities or fish bearing waters. Of these, 134 applications were approved, representing over 3 billion live aquatic organisms of 12 different species.

Origin

Introductions and transfers may occur within a province, between provinces, and into Canada from another country. Of the total number of approved applications in Prince Edward Island, approximately:

• 80% were for movements within the province
• 12% were for movements from another province
• 8% were for movements into Prince Edward Island from another country

Purpose

Of the total number of approved applications in Prince Edward Island, approximately:

• 41% were aimed at aquaculture
• 22% were aimed at research
• 22% were aimed at processing
• 15% were aimed at enhancement

Types of aquatic organisms

Of the total number of approved applications in Prince Edward Island, approximately:

• 77% were for marine molluscs
• 21% were for freshwater finfish
• 2% were for marine finfish

Most proposed movements were for Blue Mussels.

Quebec has two Introductions and Transfers Committees: one for marine applications and the other for freshwater. The marine committee is chaired by Fisheries and Oceans Canada and the freshwater committee is chaired by the Department of Forests, Wildlife, and Parks of the Province of Quebec.

Marine Introductions and Transfers

In 2022, Quebec’s Marine Introductions and Transfers Committee received 17 applications to intentionally move live aquatic organisms to fish rearing facilities and fish bearing waters. All applications were approved, representing over 2 million live aquatic organisms of 6 different species.

Origin

Introductions and transfers may occur within a province, between provinces, and into Canada from another country. Of the total number of approved marine applications in Quebec, approximately:

• 71% were for movements from another province
• 29% were for movements originating within the province

Purpose

Of the total number of approved marine applications in Quebec, approximately:

• 65% were aimed at aquaculture
• 35% were aimed at research

Types of aquatic organisms

Of the total number of approved marine application in Quebec, approximately:

• 76% were for marine molluscs
• 12% were for crustaceans and echinoderms
• 12% were for marine finfish

Most proposed movements were for American Oyster.

Freshwater Introductions and Transfers

In 2022, Quebec’s Freshwater Introductions and Transfers Committee received 2 applications to intentionally move live aquatic organisms to fish rearing facilities and fish bearing waters. Both applications were approved, representing over 100,000 live organisms.

Origin

Introductions and transfers may occur within a province, between provinces, and into Canada from another country. Both approved applications originated from another province.

Purpose

The approved applications for Quebec freshwater were for aquaculture purposes.

Types of aquatic organisms

The approved applications for Quebec freshwater were for the movements of Arctic Char.

In 2022, Saskatchewan’s Introductions and Transfers Committee received 31 applications to intentionally import live aquatic organisms to fish rearing facilities or fish bearing waters. All applications were approved, representing nearly 2 million live aquatic organisms of 6 different species. These totals do not include fish that were moved as part of the provincial stocking program, which are considered routine, low risk movements that are not reviewed by the Committee.

Origin

Introductions and transfers may occur within a province, between provinces, and into Canada from another country. Of the total number of approved applications in Saskatchewan, approximately:

• 68% were for movements from another province
• 32% were for movements into Saskatchewan from another country

Purpose

Of the total number of approved applications in Saskatchewan, approximately:

• 45% were aimed at research
• 32% were aimed at enhancement
• 23% were aimed at aquaculture

Types of aquatic organisms

Of the total number of applications approved in Saskatchewan, approximately:

• 90% were for freshwater finfish
• 10% were for other invertebrates

Most proposed movements were for Rainbow Trout.

In 2022, Yukon’s Introductions and Transfers Committee received 27 applications to intentionally move live aquatic organisms to fish rearing facilities or fish bearing waters. Of these, 26 applications were approved, representing approximately 172,000 live aquatic organisms of 5 different species.

Origin

Introductions and transfers may occur within a province or territory, between provinces or territories, and into Canada from another country. All approved applications in Yukon were for movements within the territory.

Purpose

Of the total number of approved applications in Yukon, approximately:

• 61% were aimed at enhancement
• 27% were aimed at education
• 8% were aimed at public display
• 4% were for other purposes

Types of aquatic organisms

All approved applications in Yukon were for freshwater finfish.

Most proposed movements were for Rainbow Trout.