Public Reporting on Aquaculture in the Pacific Region - Escapes

A DFO biologist conducts monitoring activities at a finfish aquaculture facility

Aquacuture facilities are capable of holding large numbers of fish at various stages of growth. In the case of marine finfish, these fish have been transferred to the site from an inland freshwater facility in order to complete their growth cycle. At harvest, fish are collected from the marine sites by vessel and transported to a processing facility. Damage to marine-based containment nets as a result of storms, handling, marine mammal interactions, or other events may lead to escapes.

The Pacific Aquaculture Regulations and Conditions of Licence for aquaculture in B.C. require licence holders to take various escape prevention measures, including maintaining cage and nets in a manner to prevent escapes. When there is evidence that an escape event has occurred, licence holders are required to report the incident to DFO’s Observe Record and Report Line (ORR 1-800-465-4336), providing details as to the cause of the event, and the type and number of fish involved. Where applicable, the licence holder must conduct a recapture fishery, initiated within 24 hours of the event. A written report, summarizing the event and the results of the recapture fishery (if applicable), must also be submitted to DFO .

Both DFO and the industry place high importance on preventing escapes, both to prevent losses of farm stock and to minimize any potential impacts of escaped fish on wild fish stocks. DFO Aquaculture Management staff investigate the causes escapes and also identify the operational or infrastructure variable that could make facilities vulnerable to escape events.

A monitoring and audit program is in place to monitor compliance with Conditions of Licence related to the maintenance of cage and net integrity, ensuring nets are of the appropriate strength and age, in good repair, and deployed correctly. This program is aimed at promoting ongoing improvement to maintenance programs, staff training, as well as innovations and advancements in net cage technologies.

More information on stock containment

Background information on Atlantic salmon escapes

In the early 1900s, Atlantic salmon were introduced into B.C. waters in significant numbers. Scientific opinion, supported by the fact that self-sustaining populations of escaped farm Atlantic salmon have not been observed anywhere outside their natural range, suggests that that the risk to wild stocks from escaped farmed Atlantic salmon is low. Research on the potential effects of escaped salmon indicates there is minimal interaction between farmed and wild fish - either through competition for habitat and food, or as predators.

Escaped farm salmon have a low survival rate. Fed from birth and domesticated over many generations, these fish are poorly suited to survive in the wild, especially compared to wild fish. Although farmed Atlantic salmon can successfully mate with wild Atlantic salmon, neither farmed nor wild Atlantic salmon have been shown to successfully mate with wild Pacific salmon.

Monitoring of Atlantic salmon escapes

The Atlantic Salmon Watch Program was established in B.C. in 1991. This research program monitors commercial and sport catches and documents escaped Atlantic salmon year-round. Observations reported by recreational and commercial fishers, processors, field biologists and hatchery workers provide valuable insight into the abundance, distribution and biology of Atlantic salmon in B.C. and surrounding areas.    

Escape Incident Reports  

This table will be updated with details provided by industry as incidents occur.  

• 2012 Escapes
• 2011 Escapes