Commercial Fisheries

The Ministry of Agriculture and Lands (MAL) fosters the social-economic viability and sustainability of the fisheries sectors throughout British Columbia.

In particular, MAL manages the seafood industry through various legislation. MAL is responsible for the issuance and regulatory compliance of aquaculture and commercial fisheries licences.

The basis of the mandate lies within the context of the Fisheries Act (R.S.B.C. 1996 Chapter 149) and Fish Inspection Act (R.S.B.C. 1996 Chapter 148), and accompanying regulations.

Through these pieces of legislation and several Memorandum of Understandings (MOU) with other agencies, the Ministry of Agriculture and Lands licenses:

• all fish processing plants, fish buying stations, fish brokers and fish vendors;
• all aquaculture operations; and
• harvesters of wild oysters and/or marine plants.

Links

• Licence Application Forms and Information

• Coastal Resource Information Management System  (internet based interactive map for viewing coastal and marine data) 

• BC Centre for Disease Control - Food Protection Services

• Canadian Food Inspection Agency -  Fish & Seafood