Aquaculture Activities Regulations

The Aquaculture Activities Regulations, made under the Fisheries Act, aim to regulate aquaculture activities in Canada. The regulations establish conditions for the operation of aquaculture facilities, including requirements for obtaining an aquaculture licence, depositing deleterious substances, and monitoring environmental impacts.

A deleterious substance is defined as a drug, pest control product, or biochemical oxygen demanding matter that can harm fish and their habitats. Owners and operators of aquaculture facilities must take reasonable measures to minimize detriment to fish and habitat outside the facility. Specific conditions apply for depositing these substances, including notification requirements and record-keeping.

Monitoring standards are established for various regions, requiring owners and operators to conduct surveys and monitoring programs to assess the environmental impact of their operations. Visual monitoring is allowed instead of sampling in some cases.

The regulations also prescribe measures to control biofouling or the presence of fish pathogens or pests in aquaculture facilities, as well as annual reporting requirements for owners and operators.

These regulations aim to ensure that aquaculture activities are conducted in a responsible and sustainable manner, minimizing harm to the environment and protected species.