Book 2, Tab C7 - Aquaculture in Canada

Purpose

To provide an introductory overview of the aquaculture sector and aquaculture management across Canada.

Context

Aquaculture is the farming of fish, shellfish, and aquatic plants in fresh or salt water. In Canada, it was first used to enhance natural stocks. It is now a large-scale commercial industry across the country. It provides direct and indirect economic benefits to many local and regional economies
Aquaculture can take place in a variety of environments – in the ocean (in coastal areas and offshore), in fresh water (in lakes), and on land (in tanks)
Cage aquaculture, also referred to as “net pen” aquaculture, is used to grow finfish in freshwater and marine environments

Aquaculture in Canada

45 different species of finfish, shellfish, and marine algae cultivated commercially; finfish accounts for most production (mainly salmon).

The value of finfish production in 2021 increased to $1.2B, up 28% from $0.96B in 2020.
Total export value in 2021 for aquaculture was $1.0B, with a total production value of $1.34B. Exports represent 75% of production value.

Industry provides well-paying, year-round jobs to thousands, many in remote coastal and Indigenous communities.

Pie chart: Production by Province, 2021 (Tonnes). See description below.

Aquaculture Management in Canada

Aquaculture management in Canada is a shared responsibility
Constitutional authorities and legal rulings have resulted in three different aquaculture management regimes in place across the country
DFO is the lead regulator in BC and PEI; elsewhere, the provinces are the primary regulators
Through the Canadian Council of Fisheries and Aquaculture Ministers, DFO engages with provinces and territories on aquaculture management

How fish farming is managed in Canada

Fish farming is managed by federal, provincial and territorial governments.

How it’s managed varies across provinces and territories.

Table 1 - How fish farming is managed in Canada
Activities	BC	Rest of Canada	PEI
Site approval Determining where a farm can be located	Shared	Provincial	Shared
Land management Overseeing the land (seabed) where a farm is located	Provincial	Provincial	Shared
Day to day operations and oversight Monitoring of farm activities	Federal	Provincial	Federal
Introductions and transfers Managing the planned movement of live eggs and fish	Shared	Shared	Shared
Drugs and pesticides approvals Determining which drugs and pesticides are approved for use	Shared	Shared	Shared
Food safety Monitoring and ensuring the safety and quality of fish harvested and sold in Canada and international markets	Federal	Federal	Federal

Federal regulatory responsibilities

Aquaculture activities are managed through DFO regulatory responsibilities and nine other federal statutes and their respective regulations.

Fisheries and Oceans Canada

Fisheries Act
- Aquaculture Activities Regulations
- Fishery (General) Regulations
- Management of Contaminated Fisheries Regulations
- Marine Mammal Regulations
- Pacific Aquaculture Regulations

Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada

Agriculture and Agri-Food Act

Environment and Climate Change Canada

Canadian Environmental Protection Act

Health Canada

Food and Drugs Act

Pest Management Regulatory Agency

Pest Control Products Act

Transport Canada

Canada Shipping Act
Canadian Navigable Waters Act

Canadian Food Inspection Agency

Feeds Act
Health of Animals Act
Safe Food for Canadians Act

Aquaculture Management & Science

The Department uses a number of tools to support aquaculture management: regulations, policies, scientific research, monitoring, enforcement, engagement, and collaboration.

Regulatory Framework and Legislation

Federally, aquaculture is primarily regulated under the Fisheries Act and associated regulatory authorities
The Department is working on new legislation (i.e., federal aquaculture act) to reflect the distinct context and requirements associated with aquaculture management in Canada
The Department has been pursuing the development of a new set of federal regulations, the General Aquaculture Regulations (GAR), to streamline and improve aquaculture-specific regulatory provisions
The Department is working on proposed amendments to the Aquaculture Activities Regulations to monitor the deposit of deleterious substances

Governance and Collaboration

Federal-Provincial-Territorial coordination via bilateral MOUs and through the Canadian Council of Fisheries and Aquaculture Ministers and its Strategic Management Committee on Aquaculture
Indigenous and Multi-stakeholder Advisory Body and Technical Working Groups (Fish Health, Area-based Management)

Key programs support delivery of legislative responsibilities for aquaculture management

Sustainable Aquaculture Program
B.C. Aquaculture Regulatory Program
Fisheries and Aquaculture Clean Technology Adoption Program (FACTAP) (2017-2024)
National Aquatic Animal Health Program – co-delivered by the Canadian Food Inspection Agency (lead) and DFO Science, which is responsible for diagnostic testing and research on aquatic animal diseases to support the health of aquatic resources and market access for all Canadian seafood
Introductions and Transfers Program - live fish are intentionally moved for many purposes. DFO coordinates with the CFIA, provinces, and Yukon to issue transfer licences based on an assessment of ecological, disease, and genetic risks.

Aquaculture Science at DFO

Research informs science advice produced through the DFO Canadian Science Advisory Secretariat (CSAS). This comprehensive review process includes the peer review of internal and external aquaculture research and risk assessments by scientific experts. The resulting science advice is generated by consensus and is published on the DFO Science CSAS website

Opportunities and Challenges

Farming of fish: Emerging Production Systems and Technologies

Industry has been designing and testing alternative production systems and technologies to address various challenges (e.g., water quality, sea lice, algae blooms) and opportunities (e.g., market access)
Norwegian companies are leading research and development in aquaculture systems and technologies, including:
Technologies that improve the environmental performance of open-net pens (e.g., intelligent farming and biotechnology) closed containment, hybrid systems (combination of land and marine-based systems), and offshore farming
Canada has an opportunity to attract foreign direct investment in alternative production systems as they evolve, and to position itself as an early adopter in the medium-to-long term; however, these systems are largely not yet market ready or proven at scale, and their adoption is hindered by high capital costs, operational challenges (technical and biological), and regulatory barriers

Aquatic Plants

Farmed seaweed has many potential uses, including food for humans and animals (main market in North America), pharmaceutical, industrial and cosmetic compounds, biofuels and paper
Canadian production of several species of kelp, moss and seaweed is comprised of a select few commercial enterprises, including operations partnering with Indigenous peoples and businesses that culture aquatic plants at shellfish aquaculture facilities

Canadian Aquaculture considerations

Public expectations for robust, science-based aquaculture management have increased in recent years
Balancing economic development and environmental sustainability
Ensuring meaningful Indigenous engagement and involvement in aquaculture management
Accounting for an evolving regulatory and legislative environment
Recognizing and respecting federal, provincial and territorial relationships and responsibilities
Government priorities on aquaculture

Support public confidence and understanding of DFO’s science results through transparency and peer review

Date modified:: 2023-11-23

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