Question Period Note: Aquaculture Licensing and Transition Announcement for British Columbia

Aquaculture Licensing and Transition Announcement for British Columbia

Given the unprecedented threats that wild Pacific salmon are facing, we must take action to conserve and protect them.

That is why we are taking action to transition away from open-net pen salmon aquaculture in British Columbia coastal waters and drive toward technological innovation that places Canada at the forefront of modern, sustainable aquaculture

If pressed on decision pertaining to aquaculture in the Discovery Islands:

The Discovery Islands is an important migratory route for many juvenile species of Fraser River salmon.

We respect the Federal Court’s April 22, 2022, decision regarding aquaculture in the Discovery Islands.

Therefore, between July and December 2022, Fisheries and Oceans Canada will conduct consultations with all affected First Nations and licence holders in the Discovery Islands. These consultations will inform a decision on whether to renew these licences, that will be made in January 2023.

If pressed on licence renewals outside the Discovery Islands:

I have authorised the renewal of licences for aquaculture facilities that are located outside of the Discovery Islands for two years.

These licences will allow operations to continue for that period and will also include a number of new conditions such as standardised reporting and sea lice management plans that will help reduce the risk of interactions with wild fish populations.

Our actions focus exclusively on open-net pen salmon aquaculture in BC. In Atlantic Canada, provinces are responsible for aquaculture and we respect their jurisdictional authority over the sector.

• On June 22, 2022, an announcement on the next steps to transition from open-net pen salmon aquaculture in British Columbia was made.
• The Government of Canada previously undertook engagement in 2020 and 2021 and collected views on transitioning the salmon aquaculture sector.
• In July 2022, Fisheries and Oceans Canada (DFO) will share the draft framework for transitioning from open-net pen salmon aquaculture. The transition plan will rely on input from the Government of British Columbia, First Nations, industry, local governments, stakeholders, and British Columbians.
• Consultations will launch in July 2022 and run until early 2023. The feedback received during these consultations will be instrumental in the development of the final transition plan, expected in the spring of 2023.
• Discovery Islands: For finfish aquaculture facilities in the Discovery Islands, and in response to the April 22, 2022, Federal Court decision, DFO will conduct consultations with First Nations communities and current licence holders in the Discovery Islands on the future of salmon aquaculture licences in this area. These consultations will inform a final decision expected in January 2023 after considering input from all affected parties. While this process is underway, there will be no Atlantic Salmon licences re-issued for this area.

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