Public Reporting on Aquaculture in the Pacific Region

Overview

As part of the British Columbia Aquaculture Regulatory Program (BCARP), Fisheries and Oceans Canada (DFO) provides stakeholders and the general public with timely information and data on the environmental and operational performance of the aquaculture industry in B.C.  

The vessel "Salmon Bay" used by DFO staff to conduct monitoring activities at aquaculture facilities

DFO is committed to a regulatory approach that ensures the industry operates in a sustainable manner that minimizes the impacts of aquaculture on wild stocks while streamlining and simplifying the regulatory requirements that the industry must meet. Increased accountability through public reporting, the implementation of new regulatory processes and extensive compliance monitoring will help the Department to achieve this goal.  

In accordance with the Pacific Aquaculture Regulations, which came into effect on December 19, 2010, Conditions of Licence were developed for each aquaculture sector. These conditions clearly state the obligations of each licence holder and prescribe standards and protocols for the operation of aquaculture facilities. Licence holders must record and report data and information to DFO in several categories such as fish health, facility operations, marine mammal interactions and fish escapes. In addition to the data provided through licence holder reports, DFO will post aquaculture policy and program information as well as results of DFO compliance audits.  

To ensure the accuracy of data, information reported by the industry on a quarterly or annual basis will generally be released three months after it is collected. When it is possible and appropriate to inform the public on a more immediate basis (i.e. event-initiated reports such as fish escapes), data will be released as soon as possible.  

All information released on this site will comply with Canada's Access to Information Act and Privacy Act. In accordance with these acts, personal information and confidential financial or commercial details will not be reported.  

Public reporting allows British Columbians to have confidence in how the aquaculture industry operates and is regulated, and access to data allows for more informed decision-making for consumers. The streamlined regulatory process under the BCARP helps the industry to operate more efficiently, and enables licence holders to focus their efforts on growing quality products.  

The following table lists the type of information that will be released on this website and the frequency of future reporting. This schedule will be updated as additional data becomes available.

BCARP Public Reporting Schedule