Aquaculture is Agriculture

The BC Shellfish Growers Association is proud to be advocating for the recognition of aquaculture as an integral part of Canada’s agriculture and agri-food sector. While aquaculture is already recognized as agriculture in British Columbia by the BC Agricultural Council (BCAC), we believe it’s time for the provincial and federal government to follow suit. This campaign, “Aquaculture is Agriculture,” is a concerted effort to elevate the importance of aquaculture in BC and Canada, ensuring its place alongside other agricultural sectors that contribute to food security, sustainable employment, and economic growth across Canada.Aquaculture is a vital part of Canada’s economy and food system. Our coasts are lined with hundreds of farms growing oysters, mussels, clams and other shellfish. These seafood products are not only a critical source of healthy, sustainable protein for Canadians but also serve international markets, reinforcing Canada’s reputation as a global leader in responsible, science-based seafood production. Aquaculture is a growing industry that provides thousands of jobs in coastal, rural, and Indigenous communities, playing a significant role in strengthening local economies and creating long-term employment opportunities. Shellfish farming continues to be one of the most sustainable forms of farming, with the presence of farms creating more diverse ecosystems and cleaner ocean environments.

We have been working with the Canadian Aquaculture Industry Alliance (CAIA) and the BC Agricultural Council to advocate that Aquaculture is Agriculture. In 2024 the BCSGA became a member of the BCAC, amplifying the reach of our voice Provincially in this movement.

Several key messages we aim to convey through this campaign include:

• Aquaculture practices align with Canada and BC’s focus on food security and economic sustainability.
• Modern agricultural practices now extend to the oceans; farming seafood is as much a part of Canada’s agriculture as farming land-based products.
• There is a rising global population and demand for increased food production. 
• Aquaculture’s vital role in ensuring a reliable, affordable source of protein, particularly as a sustainable alternative to land-based animal farming.

Image: Kris Wieteska, Toquart Bay Shellfish Ltd.

Our priorities include the following:

1. Champion for Sector Development:
   
   – Formal recognition of seafood farmers as agri-food producers.
   – Government leadership in supporting the strategic development and growth of the sector under Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada.The 2008 BC Supreme Court ruling, transferred aquaculture regulation to the federal Department of Fisheries and Oceans (DFO), which focuses narrowly on enforcement rather than promotion or economic development. This leaves the shellfish industry without a clear government champion.
   
   
2. Modernize Federal Management of the Shellfish Sector
   
   – Push for the modernization of Canada’s shellfish management program to unlock job creation and enhance sustainable seafood production. 
   – Streamlining policies and regulations for greater efficiency and innovation.
   
3. Smart Plan for BC Shellfish Farming:
   
   – Establish a forward-thinking, sustainable management framework for BC shellfish farming. As an industry we rely on many of the supports and services established for the salmon farming industry. Most of these will not be available without the salmon farming industry and means that shellfish farming in BC is currently not sustainable.
   – Support and align with federal policies to ensure the continued success and growth of the industry.

Image: left to right, Dean Louie, Allan Souch and Charles Harry from Tla’amin Nation.

The BCSGA is prioritizing this movement of having aquaculture recognized as agriculture. To actively pursue this goal, we will participate in as many events as we can to get our message out to the public and to the government. Priority events this year will include days such as Ag Day hosted by the BCAC in October 2025 and Advocacy Day in Ottawa—an event attended by ministers, senators, public servants, and stakeholders. We will be writing to and meeting with government officials and collaborating with organizations like the BCAC and CAIA. Additionally, we are committed to working with our members to educate them about the details of this movement and its potential impact on farmers. Our efforts will also focus on public outreach—educating people on what shellfish farming entails and how it benefits the economy, the environment, and individuals.