Introduction: Shellfish aquaculture licences, regulations, requirements, and jurisdictions can be very complicated. The three leading agencies that authorize and manage shellfish farm licences are the Provincial Ministry of Water, Land and Resource Stewardship (WLRS), and the Federal Departments of Fisheries and Oceans (DFO) and Transport Canada's Navigation Protection Program (TC).
This page is intended to be a quick guide and directory to help introduce farmers to regulatory requirements and provide the information and resources to describe these regulatory requirements. If you have any questions please contact the BCSGA at office@bcsga.ca or the respective regulatory agencies.
Disclaimer: We strive to keep the information current and accurate, but requirements and forms may change, and we cannot guarantee the completeness, accuracy, or up-to-date status of the content.
Shellfish Aquaculture Conditions of Licence:
DFO Conditions of Licence - Farmers must keep a physical or electronic copy of their licence which has the licence holder name on the first page with them on the farm and while product is being transferred to and from their farm.
DFO Licence Transfer:
The primary contact for transferring DFO licences is DFO.AQLicensing-AQPermis.MPO@dfo-mpo.gc.ca. This requires the submission of the following documents that have been completed / received from within 30 days of submission.
Seafloor Inspections for Deep Water Farms:
A DFO Condition of Licence (Sections 9.8, 9.9, and Appendix VI) requires farmers to complete annual
Gear Identification Requirements:
The branding and tagging requirements for shellfish gear is described in section 11. and Appendix VII in the DFO Conditions of Licence. Tags must be acquired from an tag supplier authorized by DFO as described in this fisheries notice: https://notices.dfo-mpo.gc.ca/fns-sap/index-eng.cfm?pg=view_notice&DOC_ID=251915&ID=all
Bulk Harvest Tagging Plans:
DFO.AQSF-AQMC.MPO@dfo-mpo.gc.ca is the contact for inquiring and submitting bulk tagging plans for shellfish harvests; farmers should request the most up to date information before preparing an application. This application requires:
Zero Waste Discharge Plans:
Authorization of Infrastructure and Management Plans.
Transport Canada has a separate online application for their authorizations. These should be submitted following confirmation that the application is complete from PRT.
Project Review Team
Harmonized Debris Management Plan:
Management of Contaminated Fisheries Regulations (MCFR)
Management of Contaminated Fisheries Regulations (MCFR)
