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ABOUT...
ACROSS CANADA
AND...
RESOURCES
FACT SHEET - SUSTAINABLE AQUACULTURE DEVELOPMENT
A federal priority
Fisheries and Oceans Canada (DFO) is the lead federal department responsible for aquaculture management. We work with other federal departments and provincial governments to create the policy, regulatory and program conditions necessary to ensure the aquaculture industry develops in an environmentally responsible way while remaining economically competitive in international markets.
Legislative and regulatory requirements
Canada’s aquaculture industry operates under some of the world’s strictest acts and regulations for an agricultural activity.
All aquaculture site applications are reviewed pursuant to the federal Fisheries Act to ensure that sites do not affect fish and fish habitat. Transport Canada must ensure that a thorough analysis is undertaken when it proposes to approve work in navigable waters under the Navigable Waters Protection Act.
In addition, the Canadian Environmental Assessment Act (CEAA) sets out the criteria for the environmental assessment of projects involving the federal government, such as aquaculture proposals.
When subject to the CEAA, aquaculture operations undergo a thorough federal environmental assessment. Environmental assessment is an important planning and decision-making tool. It is used to identify the potential environmental effects of the proposed projects. Early identification makes it possible to adopt appropriate mitigation measures before facilities are approved.
Environmental assessment process
Most marine aquaculture projects requiring a federal environmental assessment will undergo a process that:
- documents and assesses the environmental effects of the project, including those related to malfunction or accident;
- determines measures to minimize or mitigate these effects; and,
- considers comments from the public.
Other federal departments that may be consulted during a review include, but are not limited to, Environment Canada, Health Canada, Canadian Heritage, and Indian Affairs and Northern Development.
Balancing benefits and risks
Aquaculture contributes significant socio-economic benefits to Canada, particularly to rural and coastal communities which often have limited economic alternatives. With the decline of wild stocks and commercial fishing, aquaculture has become a mainstay in many coastal communities on both the east and west coasts. The growing consumer demand for fresh, high-quality fish coupled with the decline in many of the wild stocks has lead to significant growth of the Canadian aquaculture industry. Because of the industry’s importance at both the local and global levels, sustainable aquaculture development is a federal priority.
Like other industries, aquaculture can affect the environment – that is why it is subject to regulatory review and effectiveness and compliance monitoring to constantly improve assessment and management practices.
The need for making decisions in the absence of scientific certainty has grown both in scope and public visibility. A precautionary approach to science-based decision making can be used to manage risk.
The precautionary approach is guided by three basic principles: the need for a decision, the degree of risk of serious or irreversible harm, and the level of scientific certainty. Where there is scientific uncertainty, follow-up activities such as research and monitoring are a key part of the application of precaution. The precautionary approach is a distinctive approach, within the realm of risk management. It recognizes that lack of full scientific certainty shall not be used as a reason to postpone cost-effective measures to minimize or prevent environmental degradation. Canada recognizes that decisions are ultimately guided by judgement based on values and priorities. DFO's use of the precautionary approach in the context of aquaculture development is informed by the Oceans Act and federal direction regarding risk management.
Aquaculture sites are designed and operated in accordance with a variety of measures intended to mitigate or minimize environmental effects. These mitigation measures might include choosing appropriate locations for sites to avoid important or sensitive habitats, incorporating periods of inactivity into site production schedules, or adjusting production levels based on environmental monitoring performance.
For sources and further information visit these websites:
Fisheries and Oceans Canada – www.dfo-mpo.gc.ca
Environment Canada – www.ec.gc.ca
Canadian Environmental Assessment Agency – www.ceaa-acee.gc.ca
Note: This page contains links to Web sites not under the control of the Government of Canada. For further information on our hyperlinking practices, please refer to the Hyperlinking Notice.
