Policy & Positions Manual
Provincial Issues - Agriculture
Aquaculture in British Columbia (2010)
Aquaculture is the fastest growing agri-food industry in the world. The United Nations Fisheries and Agriculture Organization has estimated that global aquaculture production will outpace commercial fisheries by 2030. In Canada production has generally increased at 19% per annum. However, there are serious challenges to continued growth of the aquaculture industry in Canada in general and British Columbia in particular. As a relatively new user of our aquatic resources, aquaculture in British Columbia is challenged by an out-dated regulatory regime, lack of adequate programming and issues of public confidence around environmental performance and food safety.
As outlined in a report by the BC Government, the aquaculture industry accounted for 60% of the total landed value of British Columbia seafood in 2008, and salmon farming makes up about 94 percent of the aquaculture value.
Salmon farming has grown to take its place as the province’s largest agricultural export, generating $800 million in economic output according to Price Waterhouse Coopers. It provides stable, year-round employment for 6,000 men and women, in direct and supply and service jobs, largely in coastal communities where other opportunities are limited. However, a recent study done by the Department of Fisheries and Oceans (DFO) concluded that aquaculture also has extensive economic linkages across Canada. The DFO report revealed that aquaculture in BC triggered economic activity across the rest of Canada valued at $1.2 billion.
Until last year, aquaculture in BC had been a shared jurisdiction between the Provincial and Federal Governments, and involved a number of government agencies. For example, DFO is the lead federal agency for aquaculture but there are a number of other federal departments and agencies involved in the regulatory process, including Health Canada, the Canadian Food Inspection Agency, Transport Canada, the Department of Foreign Affairs and International Trade, Environment Canada, and Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada. This mix of government agencies has created, and continues to create, issues for the development of the aquaculture sector.
A recent court decision concluded that aquaculture in British Columbia is a Federal responsibility. As a result of the Hinkson decision, the regulatory authority for the aquaculture industry will shift from the Provincial to Federal government, and the transfer of authority has revealed that there is a gap in legislation when it comes to aquaculture. To the extent that regulation is required, this gap may best be filled through the introduction of a federal aquaculture act. A federal aquaculture act could establish national environmental standards, clarify industry responsibilities and codify a proud legacy of environmental stewardship.
Appropriate legislation would recognize in law the long-standing reality of aquaculture as a legitimate caretaker of Canada’s aquatic resources. It would support efforts to ensure a modern industry and build on an already impressive record of safety and sustainability. The introduction of this legislation could help facilitate the regulatory changes coming forward from DFO and would enable Canada to realize its full potential, creating new jobs and expanding opportunity in an industry that can be socially, economically and environmentally sustainable.
The aquaculture industry has been the subject of strongly divergent research and opinions, not all of which is based on legitimate and responsible research. Incorrect and misleading information should not stop the further development and expansion of aquaculture farming in BC.
In February 2009, after four years of extensive consultation and research, the Pacific Salmon Forum released a report that concluded farmed and wild salmon can co-exist under certain strict conditions. While a number of the actions proposed in the report have yet to be implemented, the Pacific Salmon Forum’s recommendations reflect the complexity of the subject and the range of factors affecting wild salmon. In its report the Pacific Salmon Forum notes that, to be effective, all British Columbians will need to work together to address all causes of adverse impacts to wild salmon. As an example, the Pacific Salmon Forum cites a provincial Auditor General’s October 2004 Report, which identified 18 risks to wild salmon populations, of which five are attributable to aquaculture; the highest risk to wild salmon comes from agriculture, forestry, urbanization and water impoundments.
Aquaculture is an economically and environmentally sustainable use of BC’s aquatic resource that has the potential to provide economic benefits for rural coastal communities, the citizens of BC and nutritious, safe food for the local marketplace and for the world’s growing population.
THE CHAMBER RECOMMENDS
That the Federal Government work to:
- develop regulations for the aquaculture industry that support sustainable growth of this important sector;
- ensure that relevant regulations and programs be implemented to support the development and expansion of the aquaculture sector, and new programs be developed that recognize the unique features of this segment of Canada’s food production system;
- base regulation and expansion of the industry on legitimate and responsible research into the environmental impacts of aquaculture;
That the Provincial Government work with the Federal Government to:
- provide information and resources through the transition of the regulatory authority;
- provide fair access to tenures for the aquaculture industry;
- ensure that consultation with First Nations is appropriate and meets the needs to the industry for timely decisions; and
That the Federal and Provincial Governments work to:
- support efforts to build public confidence in aquaculture management and place a focus on science and solution.
