Reporting on Introductions and Transfers

In 2023, Introductions and Transfers Committees received 1,134 applications to intentionally move live aquatic organisms across Canada. Of these, 1,069 applications were approved, representing more than 1 billion live aquatic organisms of over 900 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:

• 75% were for movements within a province
• 16% were for movements between provinces
• 9% were for movements into Canada from another country

Purpose

Of the total number of approved applications:

• 39% were aimed at aquaculture operations
• 20% were aimed at research
• 18% were aimed at enhancement
• 10% were aimed at public display or education
• 5% were aimed at processing
• 4% were aimed at cultural release
• 4% were aimed for other purposes

Types of aquatic organisms

Of the total number of approved applications, approximately:

• 35% were for freshwater finfish
• 26% were for marine molluscs
• 24% were for marine finfish
• 3% were for crustaceans, echinoderms and other invertebrates
• 12% were for various species

In 2023, Alberta’s Introductions and Transfers Committee received 28 applications to intentionally import live aquatic organisms to fish rearing facilities or fish bearing waters. Of these, 17 were approved representing over 771,000 live aquatic organisms of 37 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:

• 82% were for movements from another province
• 18% were for movements into Alberta from another country

Purpose

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

• 82% were aimed at research
• 12% were aimed at enhancement
• 6% were aimed at aquaculture

Types of aquatic organisms

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

• 94% were for freshwater finfish
• 6% were for various species

Most proposed movements were for Rainbow Trout.

In 2023, British Columbia’s Introductions and Transfers Committee received 430 applications to intentionally move live aquatic organisms to fish rearing facilities or fish bearing waters. Of these, 418 were approved, representing over 312 million live aquatic organisms of 734 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:

• 88% were for movements within the province
• 9% were for movements into British Columbia from another country
• 3% were for movements from another province

Purpose

Of the total number of approved application in British Columbia:

• 29% were aimed at aquaculture
• 22% were aimed at enhancement
• 20% were aimed at research
• 9% were for spiritual or cultural reasons
• 8% were aimed at education
• 5% were aimed at public display
• 7% were aimed for other purposes

Types of aquatic organisms

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

• 33% were for marine finfish
• 30% were for freshwater finfish
• 13% were for marine molluscs
• 1% were for crustaceans and echinoderms
• 23% were for various species

Most proposed movements were for 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 2023, Manitoba’s Introductions and Transfers Committee received 25 applications to intentionally move live aquatic organisms to fish rearing facilities or fish bearing waters. All applications were approved, representing approximately 2.4 million live aquatic organisms of 17 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:

• 72% were for movements within the province
• 16% were for movements into Manitoba from another country
• 12% were for movements from another province

Purpose

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

• 28% were aimed at enhancement
• 20% were aimed at research
• 20% were aimed at public display
• 16% were aimed at aquaculture
• 4% 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 other invertebrates
• 4% were for crustaceans and echinoderms
• 4% were for marine finfish

Most proposed movements were for Lake Sturgeon.

In 2023, the New Brunswick Introductions and Transfers Committee received 142 applications to intentionally move live aquatic organisms to fish rearing facilities or fish bearing waters. All of these applications were approved, representing more than 68 million live aquatic organisms of 98 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:

• 78% were for movements within the province
• 18% were for movements from another province
• 4% were for movements into New Brunswick from another country

Purpose

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

• 39% were aimed at aquaculture
• 34% were aimed at enhancement
• 16% were aimed at research
• 8% were aimed at public display
• 3% were aimed at education and other purposes

Types of aquatic organisms

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

• 73% were for freshwater finfish
• 12% were for marine finfish
• 4% were for marine molluscs
• 2% were for crustaceans and echinoderms
• 9% were for various species

Most proposed movements were for Atlantic Salmon.

In 2023, Newfoundland and Labrador’s Introductions and Transfers Committee received 104 applications to intentionally move live aquatic organisms to fish rearing facilities or fish bearing waters. Of these, 101 applications were approved, representing approximately 400 million live aquatic organisms of 52 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:

• 68% were for movements within the province
• 27% were for movements from another province
• 5% were for movements into Newfoundland and Labrador from another country

Purpose

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

• 68% were aimed at aquaculture
• 18% were aimed at research
• 12% were aimed at public display
• 2% were aimed at education

Types of aquatic organisms

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

• 57% were for marine finfish
• 18% were for marine molluscs
• 9% were for crustaceans and echinoderms
• 3% were for other invertebrates
• 3% were for algae
• 2% were for freshwater finfish
• 8% were for various species

Most proposed movements were for Atlantic Salmon.

In 2023, Nova Scotia Introductions and Transfers Committee received 160 applications to intentionally move live aquatic organisms to fish rearing facilities or fish bearing waters. Of these, 131 applications were approved, representing approximately 183 million live aquatic organisms of 41 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:

• 53% were for movements within the province
• 34% were for movements from another province
• 12% were for movements into Nova Scotia from another country

Purpose

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

• 65% were aimed at aquaculture
• 19% were aimed at research
• 11% were aimed at enhancement
• 3% were for education purposes
• 3% were for public display and other purposes

Types of aquatic organisms

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

• 37% were for marine molluscs
• 30% were for freshwater finfish
• 27% were for marine finfish
• 3% were for crustaceans and echinoderms
• 2% were for various species

Most proposed movements were for Atlantic Salmon.

In 2023, Ontario’s Introductions and Transfers Committee received 3 applications to intentionally move live aquatic organisms to fish rearing facilities or fish bearing waters. Of these, 2 applications were approved, representing approximately 4800 live aquatic organisms of 45 different species. This total 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.

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 Ontario, all of the applications were for movements from another province.

Purpose

The approved applications in Ontario were aimed at research.

Types of aquatic organisms

Of the 2 approved applications in Ontario, one was for the movement of freshwater fish and the other was for various species.

Most proposed movements were for barnacles.

In 2023, Prince Edward Island’s Introductions and Transfers Committee received 180 applications to intentionally move live aquatic organisms to fish rearing facilities or fish bearing waters. Of these, 171 applications were approved, representing over 130 million live aquatic organisms of 16 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:

• 81% were for movements within the province
• 12% were for movements from another province
• 7% were for movements into Prince Edward Island from another country

Purpose

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

• 42% were aimed at aquaculture
• 33% were aimed at processing
• 16% were aimed at research
• 8% were aimed at enhancement
• 1% were aimed at public display

Types of aquatic organisms

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

• 80% were for marine molluscs
• 17% were for freshwater finfish
• 2% were for marine finfish
• 1% were for crustaceans and echinoderms

Most proposed movements were for American Oyster.

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 Ministry of the Environment, the Fight against Climate Change, Wildlife and Parks.

Marine Introductions and Transfers

In 2023, Quebec’s Marine Introductions and Transfers Committee received 19 applications to intentionally move live aquatic organisms to fish rearing facilities and fish bearing waters. All applications were approved, representing over 5 million live aquatic organisms of 11 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:

• 53% were for movements within the province
• 47% were for movements from another province

Purpose

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

• 58% were aimed at research
• 42% were aimed at aquaculture

Types of aquatic organisms

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

• 79% were for marine molluscs
• 16% were for crustaceans and echinoderms
• 5% were for marine finfish

Most proposed movements were for American Oyster.

Freshwater Introductions and Transfers

In 2023, 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 70,000 live organisms of 2 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 freshwater applications, one was for the movement from another territory and the other was for a movement originating from another country.

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 Rainbow Trout and Arctic Char.

In 2023, Saskatchewan’s Introductions and Transfers Committee received 19 applications to intentionally import live aquatic organisms to fish rearing facilities or fish bearing waters. All applications were approved, representing over 1 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:

• 63% were for movements into Saskatchewan from another country
• 37% were for movements from another province

Purpose

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

• 26% were aimed at research
• 26% were aimed at enhancement
• 5% were aimed at aquaculture
• 42% were aimed at other purposes

Types of aquatic organisms

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

• 95% were for freshwater finfish
• 5% were for other invertebrates

Most proposed movements were for Rainbow Trout.

In 2023, Yukon’s Introductions and Transfers Committee received 22 applications to intentionally move live aquatic organisms to fish rearing facilities or fish bearing waters. All of the applications were approved, representing approximately 123,000 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:

• 64% were aimed at enhancement
• 18% were aimed at education
• 14% were aimed at public display
• 4% were aimed at research

Types of aquatic organisms

All approved applications in Yukon were for freshwater finfish.

Most proposed movements were for Chinook Salmon.