Ministry of Agriculture and Lands - Fisheries and Aquaculture

Fish Farm Relocation

As part of the provincial Salmon Aquaculture Policy Framework, the B.C. government committed to relocating farms that were inappropriately located. Thanks to improvements in science and increased knowledge of the effects of net cage aquaculture, government and industry now have a better understanding of those factors that make an area suitable (or unsuitable) for aquaculture.

Over the past two years, government has identified a total of 37 salmon farms that may be relocated to more suitable sites. These 37 sites were identified in two rounds (or "waves") through consideration of a number of environmental, social and economic factors.

Environmental factors included the site's proximity to salmon-bearing streams, kelp beds, herring spawn areas, shellfish beds and other sensitive marine habitat. Social factors included proximity to parks or other protected areas, and proximity to First Nations reserves. Consideration was also given to factors such as current speed and waste dispersal, the site's susceptibility to algal blooms, known conflicts with nearby residents or resource users, and proximity to industrial pollution sources. Economic factors consider benefits to coastal communities that may arise from moving a site to a more suitable area.

Farm relocations are being made in compliance with new, stricter environmental standards and will ensure the continued protection of wild fish, marine mammals and other wildlife. Relocating poorly sited farms will also reduce the potential for social conflicts with other marine resource users.

Integrated Land Management Bureau Links

Fisheries and Oceans Canada (DFO) Links

Updated: January 26, 2006