Public Reporting on Aquaculture in the Pacific Region - Salmon Egg Imports

Stringent regulations are in place to protect Canada’s aquatic species (farmed and wild) from disease.

Transfers of fish into and within British Columbia are reviewed by the Introductions and Transfers Committee for risks associated with genetics, ecology and diseases. Transfers must not have disease agents that may be harmful to wild populations.

Atlantic salmon eggs authorized for import into B.C. from 1985 to Present

Atlantic salmon eggs authorized for import into B.C. from 1985 to Present

Year	Maximum number of eggs authorized for import	Area of origin
1985	130,000	Scotland
1986	1,144,000	Scotland
1987	1,281,000	Scotland; Washington State
1988	2,700,000	Scotland; Washington
1989	500,000	Washington State
1990	0
1991	735,000	New Brunswick; Ireland; Washington State
1992	640,000	New Brunswick; Washington State
1993	1,447,000	New Brunswick; Ireland; Washington State
1994	750,000	Washington State
1995	775,000	Washington State; Ireland
1996	1,500,000	Washington State
1997	1,600,000	Washington State
1998	2,400,000	Washington State
1999	2,400,000	Washington State
2000	2,500,000	Washington State
2001	800,000	Washington State
2002	0
2003	0
2004	4,700,000	Iceland
2005	80,000*	Iceland
2006	0
2007	1,750,000	Iceland
2008	800,000	Iceland
2009	600,000	Iceland
2010	0

*Although these eggs were viable and free of disease, the importing company made the decision not to cultivate them based on operational priorities. After receiving authorization from DFO, the eggs were destroyed.  

N.B. July 15, 2011 – As a result of an intensive audit of departmental records and historical fish health documents, this table has been updated to clarify several points:     

• Data is now available from 1985 to 2010   
• From 2000-2010, numbers reflect the actual number of eggs imported. Numbers from 1985-1999 reflect the number of eggs requested for import through the Introductions and Transfers database.  
• Where the request for import and the actual import occurred in different years, the number of eggs imported is reflected in the actual year.