Fish Health

Transplants

The transfer of fish and shellfish between sites is an important aspect of aquaculture. However, because the introduction of animals can potentially lead to problems for the resident fish in the receiving area (e.g. through introduction of disease agents, through competition or predation or through environmental alteration), the Department of Fisheries and Oceans requires a licence to introduce fish into fish-bearing waters or to transfer fish between fish-rearing facilities. The provincial government requires permits for the transport, possession and traffic of live fish. The federal-provincial Fish Transplant Committee (FTC) was put in place to review all applications to move fish to ensure that the risks associated with transfers are minimized.

The committee has two members from each of DFO, the Ministry of Environment, Lands, and Parks, and the Ministry of Fisheries (BCFish). Annually, about 600 applications are reviewed. The review focuses on preventing the introduction and transfer of nuisance species, predators, and species prohibited for importation under the federal Fisheries Act. As well, it assesses the application for potential impacts due to disease transfer, genetic implications, and ecological concerns, such as habitat destruction, competition, etc. The evaluation process matches that of other Canadian regions and follows the guidelines set out by the International Council for Exploration of the Seas (ICES).

The committee issues an annual blanket transplant licence. It is included in BCFish Aquaculture licence package. This annual licence (Form A licence) is only valid if the conditions under which the licence is issued are met. For all other transfers, individual applications must be submitted to the FTC for a detailed review. The committee then makes recommendations to the Province and DFO executives based on the risks associated with the proposal. Where the risks are considered too severe, applications are rejected. Others may be approved after measures to mitigate the risks are put in place.

Contact:
Ms. Dorothee Kieser
Tel: (250) 756-7069
FAX: (250) 756-7053
E-mail: dorothee.kieser@dfo-mpo.gc.ca