Freshwater Land-based Aquaculture Licence under the Fisheries Act 2024

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Freshwater Land-based Aquaculture Licence under the Fisheries Act 2024

Part A. Definitions

Part B. General conditions of licence

1. Facility Management Plan

2. Fish Health

3. Mortality Event

4. Escape Prevention and Reporting

5. Introduction or Transfer of Fish

6. Annual Aquaculture Statistical Report (AASR)

7. Records

Part C. Additional Conditions for Facilities Rearing Finfish Destined for Marine Grow-out

8. Fish Health

9. Fish Health Events

10. Mortality Events

11. Additional Record Keeping Requirements

Part D. Additional Conditions of Licence for Shellfish Cultured on Land

12. Measures to Prevent the Spread of Aquatic Invasive Species

13. Harvest of Bivalve Shellfish from Land-Based Facilities

14. Additional Record Keeping Requirements

15. Geoduck Hatchery Protocol

Part E. Appendices

Appendix 1: Facility Management Plan for Freshwater Land-based Facilities

Appendix 2: Mortality Events

Appendix 3: Escape Notification Form

Appendix 4: Shellfish Transfer Zones

Appendix 5: Map of Salmonid Transfer Zones

Appendix 6: Annual Aquaculture Statistical Report

Appendix 7: Fish Health Management Plan Guidance Document

Appendix 8: Fish Health Event

Appendix 9-A and B: Fish Stocking, Fish Health and Therapeutant Use

Appendix 10: Freshwater/Land-Based (FWLB) Aquaculture Fish Health Management Plan (HMP) Checklist for Licence Holders

Freshwater Land-based Aquaculture Licence under the Fisheries Act 2024

This licence includes further conditions that are included herein and/or attached hereto. These conditions form part of the licence and may not be removed.

All parts of this licence are issued under the authority of the Fisheries Act and confer, subject to provisions of the Fisheries Act and Regulations made there under, the authority to carry out aquaculture activities including cultivation and Harvest of fish and prescribed activities under the conditions included herein and/or attached hereto.

It is the responsibility of the Licence Holder to obtain all other forms of authorization from federal or provincial agencies that may have jurisdiction for freshwater or land-based aquaculture Licensed Facilities. In addition to these conditions, it is the responsibility of Licence Holders to be informed of, and comply with, the Fisheries Act and the regulations made thereunder. This includes, but is not limited to, the Fishery (General) Regulations, the Aquaculture Activities Regulations, and the Pacific Aquaculture Regulations.

Under Section 17(1) of the Fishery (General) Regulations, a Licence Holder must notify the Department if it experiences any change to contact information within 15 Days of such an occurrence. Failure to do so may lead to enforcement action being taken against the Licence Holder.

The above Licence Holder is authorized by this licence to carry out aquaculture activities within the Licensed Facility at the following location and for the following species:

Required record keeping and reporting: Details are contained within the attached conditions of this licence.

Compliance advisory: Persons carrying out activities under the authority of this licence may only do so in accordance with the conditions of this licence.

The Licence Holder is legally required to ensure that administrative fees for this licence are paid not later than the effective date of this licence as set out in section 3 of the Pacific Aquaculture Regulations.

A copy of this licence must be kept on site at the licensed Facility and be available for inspection by a fishery officer or fishery guardian.

Part A. Definitions

"Aquatic Invasive Species"

means species identified in Part 2 and 3 of the Aquatic Invasive Species Regulations Schedule: https://laws-lois.justice.gc.ca/eng/regulations/sor-2015-121/FullText.html.

"Attestation"

means a written declaration made by a qualified individual who bears witness to, confirms or authenticates.

"BCITC"

means the British Columbia Introductions and Transfers Committee who are responsible for reviewing applications for introductions and certain transfers of live aquatic organisms into fish rearing facilities or fish bearing waters of British Columbia.

"Bivalve Shellfish"

means a bivalve mollusc of the class Bivalvia or any product that is derived from one of those molluscs.

"Broodstock"

means mature fish used for the purpose of spawning or generating gametes.

"CFIA"

means the Canadian Food Inspection Agency.

"Containment structures"

are net pens, bag cages, tanks or similar structures used to contain fish for the purposes of aquaculture.

"Day"

means the period of elapsed time, using Pacific Time that begins at midnight and ends 24 hours later at the next midnight.

"Department"

means Fisheries and Oceans Canada.

"Disease"

means an abnormality of structure or function which results in a measurable compromise in physiological or behavioural performance of the individual, which is not a direct result of injury and can be caused by a suite of infectious, non-infectious, and inherent factors. Specifically,

"Infectious disease"

means a Disease caused by the invasion and multiplication of a Pathogen in or on a fish.

"Entrainment"

occurs when a fish is drawn into a water intake and cannot escape.

"Evidence of Escape"

includes, but is not limited to, any visual or physical evidence that demonstrates a release of cultivated fish from the Facility, including unexplained declines in feed demand or inventory discrepancies.

"Finfish"

means fish of the class Osteichthyes; for example, salmonids, sablefish, sturgeon, and tilapia.

"Fish Habitat"

means water frequented by Wild (non-cultured) fish and any other areas on which they depend directly or indirectly to carry out their life processes, including spawning grounds and nursery, rearing, food supply and migration areas.

"Fish Health Event (FHE)"

means a suspected or confirmed Disease occurrence within an aquaculture Facility that requires the involvement of a Veterinarian and implementation of mitigation to reduce associated impact(s) or risk(s). Actions/mitigation could include: treatment(s), targeted sampling, site quarantine, enhanced biosecurity, or culling to control suspected or confirmed Disease.

"Fish Health Staff"

means the designated personnel, with veterinary oversight, responsible for: identifying, managing, and minimizing the impact of health risk factors, making health-related decisions, and routine monitoring of health, lice and Disease parameters.

"Grow-out"

means the rearing of juvenile fish to market size.

"Harvest"

means removal of live fish for market.

"Impingement"

refers to when an entrapped fish is held in contact with the intake Screen and is unable to free itself.

"Importation"

means bringing fish into British Columbia from another province or country.

"Introduction"

in respect to species introduction, means the deliberate release or holding of live aquatic organisms into waters outside of its present range.

"Introductions and Transfers Licence"

means the Federal licence granted under the authority of the Fishery (General) Regulations, section 56, for the Introduction and Transfer of fish.

"Licensed Facility"

means the collective structures constructed or primarily utilized for the purposes of aquaculture, detailed in the Facility Management Plan. This generally includes all infrastructure between the source of water and its release, including but not limited to, intake/outfalls buildings, tanks, raceways, ponds, settling ponds, net pens, wells and Screens.

“Licence Holder”

means the individual or corporation named on the face of this licence.

"Mortalities"

means cultivated fish that have died at the Facility but does not include fish killed for the purpose of Harvest. Mortalities do not include eggs or larvae or bivalves or echinoderms, or juvenile Finfish not yet on feed.

"Mortality event"

means:

1. Fish Mortalities with losses exceeding 2% of the current Stock Inventory within a 24-hour period; or
2. Fish Mortalities or losses reaching 4% of current Stock Inventory, within a five Day period.

"Pathogen"

means a bacterium, virus, or other microorganism that can cause Disease.

"Qualified individual"

means an individual employed by, or contracted by an aquaculture company, who possesses a combination of knowledge, expertise and experience necessary to complete the task and who can provide an Attestation to the integrity within their area of expertise.

"Relay"

means the transfer of shellfish from marginally contaminated areas to approved areas for natural biological cleansing using the ambient environment.

"Resolved"

means cultivated Mortalities no longer trigger the Mortality Event thresholds, as described in the Mortality Event definition above, for 10 consecutive Days.

"Screen"

means a cover, netting, or other physical barrier to the passage of fish while still allowing water to flow. Weirs, stop-logs, or other barriers to fish passage outside of the Facility, are not considered screens for the purpose of this licence.

"Seed"

means a submarket size Bivalve Shellfish requiring a minimum of six months (12 months if the source waters have been identified as having a risk of chemical contaminants, as determined by Environment and Climate Change Canada) to reach market size under normal growing conditions, and that has been gathered directly from the wild, or grown in a hatchery.

"Spat"

means a bivalve mollusc in the larval stage, including when settled to the bottom or settled on a structure.

"Stock"

means a group of fish from one production cycle that are defined by the system of origin, species, and run timing.

"Transfer"

means the movement of live fish to or from a Licensed Facility or hatchery, as authorized by this licence, or Section 56 of the F(G)R, as applicable.

"Veterinarian"

means a veterinarian licensed in the Province of B.C.

"Water Classification"

means the bacteriological water quality designation assigned to a shellfish harvest area, which indicates the suitability of the area for harvesting shellfish, according to accepted water quality standards and general sanitary conditions in the shellfish harvest area.

"Wild Fish"

means any fish which is not cultured.

Part B. General conditions of licence

1. Facility Management Plan

1.1 By September 30, 2024, the Licence Holder shall develop and submit to the Department for approval a Facility Management Plan (FMP) which includes all elements outlined in Appendix 1.

1.2. Any change to the Facility, which could impact Wild fish or Fish Habitat or increase the risk of escape of fish (including parts of fish and pathogens) must be detailed on a revised Facility Management Plan and attached to this licence unless otherwise authorized as a site specific condition of licence.

1.3. The Licence Holder shall follow and comply with the Facility Management Plan approved by the Department at all times and have it available for inspection upon the request of a fishery officer or fishery guardian.

2. Fish Health

2.1 The Licence Holder must ensure that the fish cultivated in the Licensed Facility are given care and attention consistent with their biological requirements.

2.2. The Licence Holder must undertake reasonable and lawful husbandry practices to minimize infections, predator interactions, and control Disease, including engaging the services of a Veterinarian if required.

2.3. The Licence Holder must keep complete and accurate records of animal health in the Licensed Facility, including: outbreaks of Disease, resulting treatments, and preventative measures.

2.4. For Licence Holders culturing the following species: whiteleg shrimp, white sturgeon, signal crayfish, arctic char, and sablefish, and for Licence Holders culturing fish in lake net pens:

1. The Licence Holder must have in place and follow the Health Management Plan (HMP) appended to this licence, containing the elements listed in Appendix 7.
2. The HMP must be kept current by the Licence Holder. Any amendments to the HMP must be submitted to the Department.
3. Annually on January 15, the Licence Holder must submit to the Department, for its considered response, the complete Facility-specific proprietary health management standard operating procedures (HMSOPs) referenced in the HMP, or inform the Department if no changes were made.

3. Mortality Event

3.1 Should a Mortality Event occur, the Licence Holder must:

1. Notify the Department as defined in Appendix 2 within two Days ensuring carcass numbers are assigned to the date they are recovered, rather than averaged out over previous days: and
2. Following the initial Mortality Event, complete consecutive 10-day follow-up reports until the Mortality Event is Resolved. Each report must be submitted within three Days of the final day of the initial Mortality Event.

3.2 The Licence Holder must put in place and follow the procedures set out below to deal with Mortality Events, including:

1. The regular collection of carcasses and transfer to sealed containers;
2. The regular collection of stored carcasses and transfer to approved disposal or processing facilities; or abide by requirements for safe disposal on private land; and
3. Sanitation of carcass storage containers or other handling equipment according to direction available from the Department or a Veterinarian.

4. Escape Prevention and Reporting

4.1 All equipment, materials, and structures employed at the Facility must be designed, constructed, installed, inspected, and maintained in a manner intended to prevent escapes from the Facility.

4.2 The Licence Holder must ensure that inlet and outlet Screens are designed, installed, and maintained in such a manner as to prevent the passage, Entrapment, or Impingement of Wild Fish.

4.3 The Licence Holder must ensure that employees, agents, and contractors take all reasonable measures to prevent the escape of any cultivated fish from the Facility and must take immediate corrective action to control, mitigate, counteract, and remedy an escape occurrence, and prevent further escape from the Facility.

4.4 The Licence Holder must conduct regular inspections of escape prevention infrastructure (such as Screens) at least weekly while fish are present and maintain electronic or written records of these inspections for the duration of the licensing period.

4.5 The Licence Holder must ensure that any escape, or Evidence of Escape of cultivated Finfish from the Facility, or during transport, is reported within 24 hours with as much of the detail set out in Appendix 3 as possible.

4.6. The Licence Holder must provide a complete written report of the event reported under Section 4.5 not later than seven (7) calendar Days following the event using the form in Appendix 3.

5. Introduction or Transfer of Fish

5.1 The Licence Holder must possess a valid Introductions and Transfers Licence issued pursuant to Section 56 of the Fishery (General) Regulations, unless approved under Section 5.3. Where the Licence Holder meets the conditions in Section 5.3 for an Introduction into their Facility, the Licence Holder does not need to apply for an Introductions and Transfers licence.

5.2 The Licence Holder must ensure that, prior to transfer, fish or shellfish do not display any observable symptoms of Diseases or infections that are of concern to the BCITC. Refer to the CFIA Aquatic Animals Reportable Diseases currently available at Reportable diseases: Aquatic animals - Canadian Food Inspection Agency (canada.ca).

5.3 The following Introductions into the Facility are approved under this licence for the species and circumstances listed below:

1. Bivalve Shellfish (excluding Manila Clam, Pacific Oyster, Geoduck, or Horse Clam): The Licence Holder may Transfer live Seed, Spat, or juvenile Bivalve Shellfish to the Facility from another Facility possessing a valid aquaculture licence provided that;
1. The species are listed in the Licensed Species section on the face of this licence;
2. The shellfish are Transferred only inside the Shellfish Transfer Zone within which they are licensed (see Appendix 4),
2. Manila Clam: The Licence Holder may Transfer live Manila Clam Seed, Spat, juveniles, or Broodstock to the Facility from another Facility possessing a valid aquaculture licence provided that;
1. The Licence Holder is licensed for Manila Clam;
2. The Transfer is occurring within the following Transfer zones (Appendix 4):
1. within and between Zones 1, 2, 3, and 4;
2. from any Zone to Zone 5; or
3. from Zone 5 with valid approval from the Department.
3. Pacific Oyster: The Licence Holder may Transfer live Pacific Oyster Seed, Spat, juveniles, or Broodstock to the Facility from another Facility possessing a valid aquaculture licence provided that:
1. The Licence Holder is licensed for Pacific Oyster;
2. The Transfer is occurring withing the following Transfer zones (see Appendix 4):
1. Within the same Zone;
2. Between Zones 1 & 2;
3. between Zones 3 & 4;
4. From Zones 3 & 4 to Zone 5; or
5. From Zone 5, with valid approval from the Department.
4. Atlantic Salmon, Chinook Salmon, Coho Salmon and Rainbow Trout not destined for Grow-out in the marine environment: The Licence Holder may Transfer fish to this Facility from another Facility possessing a valid aquaculture licence issued pursuant to section 3 of the Pacific Aquaculture Regulations provided that the following conditions are met:
1. The fish are live Atlantic Salmon, Chinook Salmon, Coho Salmon or Rainbow Trout;
2. The species being Transferred are listed in the Licensed Species section on the face of this licence;
3. Transfers occur within the same Salmonid Transfer Zone as described in Appendix 5; and
4. The Mortalities for all fish on-feed, excluding eggs or larvae, in any stock Containment Structure reared at the source Facility have not exceeded 1% per day due to any infectious Diseases, for any four consecutive day period during the rearing period.
5. Atlantic Salmon or Pacific Salmon destined for eventual Grow-out in the marine environment: The Licence Holder is permitted to Transfer live Atlantic or Pacific salmon or gametes to this Facility from a Facility possessing a valid aquaculture licence issued pursuant to Section 3 of the Pacific Aquaculture Regulations within the same Salmonid Transfer Zone (Appendix 5), provided that:
   1. The species of live salmon fish, including gametes, are listed in the Licensed Species section on the face of this licence;
   2. The Licence Holder has obtained written confirmation, executed by the source Facility’s Veterinarian or Fish Health Staff or Facility manager, that in their professional judgment Mortalities in any Containment Structure at the source Facility have not exceeded 1% per day due to any infectious Diseases for any four consecutive day period during the rearing period;
   3. The written and signed confirmation, or a copy thereof, described in licence condition 5.2 (e) (ii) must:
      1. Be kept at this Facility and available for inspection by a fishery officer or fishery guardian; and
      2. accompany all shipments of fish to and from this Facility, except for movement of Harvested fish.

5.4 The Licence Holder must ensure that water from any container used for the Transfer of fish is not discharged into Fish Habitat when transporting fish to this Facility.

6. Annual Aquaculture Statistical Report (AASR)

6.1. On January 25th of each year, the Licence Holder must complete and submit to the Department a complete and accurate Annual Aquaculture Statistical Report containing the elements outlined in Appendix 6 for the previous calendar year.

6.2. If no sales or production has occurred, a zero sum report must still be submitted, as per condition 6.1.

7. Records

7.1 The Licence Holder must maintain complete and accurate written or electronic records relating to the licensed aquaculture activities throughout the Licence period, for all licensed species. The records must contain the elements listed in Section 7.2.

7.2 The Licence Holder must record, by 11:59pm on the day of the conclusion of activity, for each individual licensed Facility, the Importation or Introduction of fish to the Licensed Facility, the Transfer of fish from the Licensed Facility, Relay from the Licensed Facility, and Harvest for market sale. The Licence Holder must record:

1. Facility Reference Number;
2. Activity date;
3. Species common name;
4. Lifestage;
5. The nature of the activity (i.e. Activity Code (IP – Importation) (IN – Introduction) (R – Relay) (TS – Transfer) (H – Harvest for Market Sale));
6. Quantities of fish being imported;
7. Average container weight OR total estimated weight OR estimated number of individuals;
8. Source of fish arriving at the site (source Facility Reference Number or other); and
9. Destination of fish leaving the site (destination site licence number, Facility reference number, buyer, or market sale processor).

7.3 The Licence Holder must keep records of animal health in the Licensed Facility, including:

1. Outbreaks of Disease; and
2. Resulting treatments; and
3. Preventative measures.

7.4 The Licence Holder must keep records of escape prevention infrastructure inspections.

7.5 Records shall be produced upon request by a fishery officer or fishery guardian.

7.6 Archived records must be kept in a suitable location in a corporate office or securely stored off-site for a minimum of six years.

7.7 All reports and submissions required by this licence must be submitted as follows: DFO.PACAquacultureGeneral-AquacultureenGeneralPAC.MPO@dfo-mpo.gc.ca for reports required from Section 4 of this licence; DFO.PACAquaFishHealth-AquaSantedespoissonPAC.MPO@dfo-mpo.gc.ca for all reports required from Sections 2, 3, 8, 9, and 10 of this licence; and DFO.PACAASR-RSAAPAC.MPO@dfo-mpo.gc.ca for all reports required from Section 6 of this licence.

Part C. Additional Conditions for Facilities Rearing Finfish Destined for Marine Grow-out

Note 1 – Licence conditions 8, 9, 10, and 11 apply only for facilities rearing Finfish for marine Grow-out.

8. Fish Health

8.1 The Licence Holder culturing Finfish destined for marine Grow-out must have in place and follow the Health Management Plan (HMP) appended to this licence, containing the elements listed in Appendix 7.

8.2 The HMP must be kept current by the Licence Holder. Any amendments to the HMP must be submitted to the Department.

8.3 No Finfish shall be introduced to the Facility except in accordance with the HMP and the requirements set out in Section 5 (Transfer of Fish).

8.4 A Veterinarian-client relationship must be maintained between the Licence Holder and a Veterinarian who is licensed to practice in the province of B.C. The Veterinarian, in conjunction with Fish Health Staff, is responsible for overall fish health management, leading responses to Fish Health Events, Disease diagnoses, and writing prescriptions.

9. Fish Health Events

9.1 Should a Fish Health Event occur, the Licence Holder must:

1. Take immediate action to manage the Fish Health Event by implementing response procedures to minimize the potential spread of Pathogens if an Infectious Disease is suspected or diagnosed; and
2. Submit a Fish Health Event notification to the Department within seven Days following initiation of mitigation as described in Appendix 8; and
3. Submit a separate Fish Health Event notification for each concurrent Disease; and
4. Undertake follow up measures to evaluate the Fish Health Event and the efficacy of the mitigation measures taken; and
5. Retain all supporting documentation for the Fish Health Event that clarifies the primary and any other contributing factor(s) including environmental and laboratory data.

9.2 The Licence Holder must ensure that Fish Health Event records are reviewed by the Licence Holder’s Veterinarian and/or Fish Health Staff to assess patterns in fish health and to facilitate reporting of Fish Health Events as per Section 9.1.

10. Mortality Events

10.1 Should a Mortality Event occur, the Licence Holder must:

1. Take action to manage and minimize the event; and
2. Notify the Department as described in Appendix 2 within two Days of the Mortality Event, ensuring carcass numbers are assigned to the date they are recovered, rather than averaged out over previous days; and
3. Following the initial Mortality Event, complete consecutive 10-day follow-up reports until the Mortality Event is Resolved. Each report must be submitted within three Days of the final day of that report; and
4. Undertake follow-up measures to determine the cause of the outbreak and the efficacy of the management measures; and
5. Implement a response plan to contain an Infectious Disease, if suspected or diagnosed; and
6. Report all Mortality Events occurring during Transfers as occurring at the destination Facility; and
7. If it is suspected that a Mortality Event has occurred and mortality retrieval was not possible, the Licence Holder must still submit a Mortality Event report with supporting rationale as to why the retrieval did not occur; and
8. Retain all supporting documentation for the Mortality Event that clarifies the primary and any other contributing factor(s) including environmental and laboratory data.

11. Additional Record Keeping Requirements

11.1 In addition to Part B. Section 7, Licence Holders culturing Finfish destined for marine Grow-out must keep at this Facility, unless otherwise indicated, complete, up-to-date, and accurate written or electronic records including the following:

1. Introductions, Transfers, and fish health activity for the Facility, as listed in Appendix 9-A; and
2. The use of all therapeutants and anesthetics as listed in Appendix 9-B.

11.2 The Licence Holder must provide training to site personnel to support accurate and consistent observations, recording of fish health information and maintain records of this training.

11.3 The Licence Holder must ensure fish health records are reviewed by the Licence Holder’s Veterinarian and/or Fish Health Staff to look for patterns in fish health and Disease. These reviews must be documented and kept as part of the fish health records.

11.4 The Licence Holder must ensure that fish health records for this Facility are kept and made available upon request of the Department.

Part D. Additional Conditions of Licence for Shellfish Cultured on Land

12. Measures to Prevent the Spread of Aquatic Invasive Species

12.1 The Licence Holder shall not import, transport, release or cause the movement of an Aquatic Invasive Species beyond waters where it is currently found.

13. Harvest of Bivalve Shellfish from Land-Based Facilities

13.1 The Licence Holder shall ensure all Harvested Bivalve Shellfish are:

1. Sold to a facility licensed by the Canadian Food Inspection Agency with the appropriate shellfish processing permission prior to sale for human consumption; or
2. Received by a facility licensed by the Canadian Food Inspection Agency with appropriate shellfish processing permission prior to sale for human consumption.

13.2. The Licence Holder shall not provide, or sell Harvested Bivalve Shellfish to a shellfish buyer, or receiver prior to the Harvested Bivalve Shellfish being landed, or sold to a processing facility licensed by the Canadian Food Inspection Agency.

14. Additional Record Keeping Requirements

14.1 In addition to Part B. General Conditions Records, Section 7, if the activity is for Harvest for market sale, the Licence Holder must record within 14 Days:

1. Number of harvest containers;
2. Container type;
3. Water Classification at the Licensed Facility prior to Harvest; and
4. Name of the facility licensed by the Canadian Food Inspection Agency with the appropriate shellfish processing permission.

14.2 Within 14 Days of Harvested product being accepted by a facility licensed by the Canadian Food Inspection Agency with the appropriate shellfish processing permission, the Licence Holder shall record:

1. The date the product was accepted; and
2. The total weight, OR number of dozens, OR number of individuals of Harvested product accepted. The unit of measure reported must match what is reported in the Annual Aquaculture Statistical Report.

15. Geoduck Hatchery Protocol

15.1 All geoduck Broodstock and resulting seed must be kept in complete isolation from geoduck of other sources and/or locations. Conditions in the Facility, including tanks and water systems must be managed to maintain the genetic integrity of geoduck from different sources.

Part E. Appendices

Appendix 1: Facility Management Plan for Freshwater Land-based Facilities

This document is a template that, once completed, forms part of the Facility Management Plan (FMP) for your facility, attached to your license. Please review the FMP Guidance Document, complete the fields in the table below and submit the FMP to the Department.

The FMP characterizes the interaction of your facility with wild fish and fish habitat, authorized by your PAR License. Alterations to your facility that are likely to impact fish or habitat are NOT AUTHORIZED except by way of an amendment to the FMP.

Example text is included, overwrite this with your own information.

PART 1. Infrastructure

The FMP includes all your aquaculture infrastructure, however, additional details (detailed drawings, diagrams, or annotated photographs), must be provided for infrastructure that lies within 30m of aquatic habitat and/or within the Ordinary High Water Mark of any waterbody.

Section 1 - Culture Infrastructure

Section 2 - Water Sources/Volumes

Section 3 - Predator and Escape Prevention and Additional Information

PART 2. Habitat Map, Site Schematic Diagrams, and Detail Drawings

The FMP must include a habitat map, and site schematic. Detail drawings and/or annotated photographs are required for all infrastructure within the wetted perimeter (high water mark) of any water body. All supplemental documents must be named and dated with a convention that allows them to be easily referenced. (e.g. A site schematic for Bob’s Trout might be BTSchematic-1,07-23.pdf).

Habitat Map

Site Schematic Diagram

I attest that this document and attachments (i.e. habitat map, site schematic and other items, as applicable) are accurate and true and serve as the FMP for the aforementioned facility.

Signature:

Date:

Appendix 2: Mortality Events

Submit this report using the most recent structured data template provided by the Department. The following information must be included:

General Information

• Licence Holder Name
• Facility Reference Number
• Facility Name

Report Details:

• Incident Date
• Occurrence Category
  • New-5 day, New-24 hour, 10-day follow-up, 20-day follow-up, etc.
• Associated Fish Health Event (Yes/No)
• Cultured Species
• Mortality Information
  • Reporting Date (for daily mortalities)
  • Containment Structures Affected
  • Daily Inventory on site
  • Daily Mortalities
  • Average Weight (grams)
  • Resolved (Yes/No)
• Primary Probable Cause or Diagnosis
  • Water Quality, Poor Performer, Handling, Transport, Treatment, Predation, Infectious Disease, Non-infectious Disease, Unknown, Other – explain
• Action Taken
  • Continued Monitoring, All Containment Structures Treated, Affected Containment Structures treated, Reduce Inventory, Harvest, Cull, Investigation, Quarantine, Predator Mitigation, Environmental Mitigation, Carcass Removal, None Required, Other - explain
• Information Relevant to Event
• Other Contributing Factors

Guidance

Mortality Event means (a) fish Mortalities or losses reaching 2% of the current Stock Inventory, within a 24 hour period; or (b) fish Mortalities or losses reaching 4% of current Stock Inventory, within a five Day period.

Resolved? (Y/N): means cultivated Mortalities no longer trigger the Mortality Event thresholds for 10 consecutive Days.

Primary Portable Cause or Diagnosis: The presumptive or confirmed primary cause of the mortality event. Other contributing causes should be reported as “Other Contributing Factors”.

Action Taken: The category of action taken in response to the Mortality Event.

Information Relevant to Event: Provide detail about the probable cause or diagnosis and action taken (e.g. Water quality parameters, disease diagnosis, treatment details, etc.)

Other Contributing Factors: Describe in detail other contributing factors resulting in mortality, in addition to the primary probable cause (e.g. poor performers, concurrent/chronic disease, environmental conditions)

Appendix 3: Escape Notification Form

Submit this report using the most recent structured data template provided by the Department. The following information must be included:

General Information

• Licence Holder Name
• Facility Reference Number
• Facility Name
• Facility Name
• Contact Name
• Contact Phone Number
• Contact Email

Report Details:

• Escape Information:
  • Escape Date
  • Incident Time
  • Escaped Species (Common Name)
  • Estimated Number Escaped
  • Average Weight (grams)
  • Date Stocked
  • Stock Source Facility Name
  • Incident Cause
  • Planned Mitigation Measures
• Drug Information:
  • Drug Administered
    • No Drug, Oxytetracycline, Florfenicol, Tribrissen, Romet, Emamectin, Erythromycin, TMS, Metomidate, Clove Oil, Other-explain
  • Treatment Start Date
  • Treatment End Date
  • Prescribing Veterinarian Name
  • Prescribed Withdrawal Period
  • Inventory Lots Treated

Appendix 4: Shellfish Transfer Zones

Figure 1 shows the five zones established for shellfish Introductions and Transfers in BC. These zones are generally delineated based on definable oceanographic and ecographic discrete areas (e.g. oceanic vs. inside waters). Consideration is also given to historical movements of shellfish in the aquaculture and commercial fisheries sectors for trade and commerce.

Additional information and guidance on transfers of shellfish can be found at http://www.pac.dfo-mpo.gc.ca/aquaculture/licence-permis/intro-trans/index-eng.html or by contacting DFO.BCITC-CITCB.MPO@dfo-mpo.gc.ca.

Appendix 5: Map of Salmonid Transfer Zones

Appendix 6: Annual Aquaculture Statistical Report

Submit this report using the most recent structured data template provided by the Department. The following information must be included:

General Information

• Reporting Year
• Facility Reference Number
• Licence Holder Name
• Facility Name

Report Details:

• Harvest For Food Market Sales (Round, Yes/No)
  • Species Common Name
  • Weight (kg)
  • Quantity (shellfish only)
  • Quantity Unit of Measure
  • Total Value (CDN)
  • Product Type
  • Processor Information
• “U” catch-em Sales
  • Species Common Name
  • Average Length
  • Total number
  • Total Weight (kg)
  • Total Value (CDN)
• Sales For Restocking or Ongrowing? (Yes/No)
  • Species Common Name
  • Life Stage
    • Eggs/Milt, Juveniles/Smolts, Adults
  • Number Sold in B.C.
  • Number Exported
  • Total Value (CDN)
• Stock on Hand and Future Plans
  • Operating Next Year (Yes/No)
  • Stock Year End (List Species)

Appendix 7: Fish Health Management Plan Guidance Document

Health Management Plans (HMP) ensure the proper health care and minimize risk associated with pathogen transfer and disease in farmed fish in British Columbia. A Health Management Plan is supported by Standard Operating Procedures (SOP) which describe how the health requirements are met. This Health Management Plan should be reviewed every time changes are made, or on an annual basis by the licence holder to make sure that the protocols are still relevant.

The Health Management Plan may be prepared and submitted to Fisheries and Oceans Canada (DFO) in any format which meets the objectives, but to simplify the process a checklist is provided (Appendix 10) that licence holders or applicants for new FWLB licences can optionally complete and submit. When complete, the Health Management Plan and Standard Operating Procedures are submitted to DFO.PACAquaFishHealth-AquaSantedespoissonPAC.MPO@dfo-mpo.gc.ca. The Health Management Plan and Standard Operating Procedures must be followed as written and form part of the licence.

HMP Requirements

1. Personnel duties and responsibilities

Employing and contracting personnel who are trained in fish health and husbandry is essential for the maintenance of fish health on farm. All facility staff must be aware of general health principles.

The HMP/SOP must describe how the licence holder will address these points:

• Licence holders must ensure that they have a fish health leader (or team) who is responsible for overseeing the collection of health information, evaluating this information, and making major fish health decisions. They are responsible for identifying and managing risks to optimize fish health. It is recommended that a Veterinarian be identified who can be consulted for any fish health concerns;
• All facility staff must read and follow their company HMP and relevant SOP when they start their position, every two years thereafter, and when there are changes made to the HMP or SOP. Any staff training relevant to fish health must be recorded and kept; and
• Contact names and numbers for key fish health personnel, and emergency numbers for regulatory authorities and services must be kept updated and readily accessible to all staff at the facility.

2. Biosecurity

Disease-causing agents (pathogens) may be found on or in fish (wild or cultured), animals and birds, water, and equipment, gear, and infrastructure. Therefore, biosecurity practices are required to minimize pathogen transfer wherever possible. Biosecurity has three main goals: minimizing the entry of pathogens into farms, minimizing the spread of pathogens within the farm, and preventing spread of disease outside of the farm. Biosecurity measures must apply to all personnel, visitors, contractors, suppliers, regulators, vehicles, and equipment.

The HMP/SOP must describe how the company will address these points:

• There must be effective biosecurity barriers at and within each facility. These must include physical and chemical barriers (e.g. appropriate disinfectants and restrictions of movement);
• Biosecurity practices and procedures must be posted and explained to all visitors; and
• Equipment must be cleaned and disinfected on a regular basis and as required. Drying of equipment must be done as often as operationally feasible.

3. Disinfectants, chemicals, drugs, and vaccines

Disinfectants, chemicals, drugs, and vaccines play an important role in biosecurity and disease management and control. These must be used appropriately to fulfill their purpose on farms.

The HMP/SOP must describe how the company will address these points:

• All products, including medicated feed, must be used and stored in clearly marked containers and disposed of according to the manufacturer’s instructions and other applicable legislation (i.e. ensuring spills do not enter natural waters);
• All staff must be appropriately trained for the safe use and handling of these products;
• Drugs and vaccines must be prescribed by a Veterinarian, and administration of these products must follow their explicit written directions; and
• Any use of drugs or vaccines, including medicated feed, must have detailed records kept on site for as long as the treated fish remain at the facility and as per conditions of licence.

4. Observation of fish health and behaviour

Regular observations of the fish and their behaviour provide information on their health.

The HMP/SOP must describe how the company will address these points:

• All staff must be familiar with normal, healthy fish behaviour as well as signs of stress, illness, and disease specific to the species being cultured;
• The behaviour and physical appearance of cultured fish must be observed and recorded on a regular and frequent basis; and
• Site managers and fish health staff must be immediately notified if there are visible lesions, physical signs of illness, or abnormal behaviour.

5. Fish handling, euthanasia, and harvest

Fish handling causes stress in fish which may make them more susceptible to injury and disease. Fish must be handled in a humane manner and only when required for health, regulatory, or production purposes. Handling events include, but are not limited to euthanasia, harvest, vaccination, grading, treatments, and transfer. Euthanasia of fish must be conducted in a humane manner, which includes the rapid and irreversible loss of consciousness.

The HMP/SOP must describe how the company will address these points:

• Records must be kept of each handling event, including the type of event, number of fish handled, and qualitative observations about the event (e.g. any mortalities as a result of handling, accidents that occurred, etc.);
• Harvest must have hygienic practices in place to prevent carcasses, blood, waste, and offal from leaking to fish containment structures and the environment.

6. Transfers of fish

Transferring fish is a potential source of pathogen transfer. The movement of live fish (including gametes) is permitted by this licence or a licence issued under section 56 of the Fishery (General) Regulations and by specific conditions of licence

The HMP/SOP must describe how the company will address these points:

• The transport of live fish must occur in clean and secure conditions. Gametes must be clearly labelled;
• Strict biosecurity measures must be followed including disinfection of all transport vehicles/vessels and equipment used in the transfer between different cohorts.

7. Mortality retrieval, storage, and classification

While mortality is natural in all populations, good hygiene practices should be in place to mitigate potential risks from carcasses. Carcasses must be managed properly in order to decrease the risk of attracting scavengers, reduce the spread of pathogens, and for the timely and accurate detection of disease. The frequent collection and classification of carcasses is critical to assessing fish health. Accurately identifying the cause of death helps to identify if there is disease on site that needs to be treated.

The HMP/SOP must describe how the company will address these points:

• Dead fish must be collected, recorded, and disposed of in secure containers on a routine and frequent basis, at least once every seven days;
• Mortalities and related waste products must be disposed of appropriately and must not re-enter fish containment structures or leak into the environment;
• A separate plan must be in place if a Mortality Event occurs, to describe the additional resources required to deal with unusual quantities of carcasses;
• Farmed fish carcasses must be visually examined for obvious cause(s) of mortality and/or signs of disease. As required by conditions of licence, mortalities must be collected and classified as follows:
  • Environmental (e.g. any system-related cause like water quality);
  • Infectious disease;
  • Fresh “silvers”;
  • Handling or transport damage (trauma);
  • Old (decomposed);
  • Poor performers; or
  • Predator attack; and

8. Fish health records

Accurate, legible, and accessible records are important to monitor fish health over time.

The HMP/SOP must describe how the company will address these points:

• Records must be kept in such a way that they are available on site for quick and easy access and as per the conditions of licence; and
• There must be a back-up system to ensure that data is secure.

9. Emergency and contingency planning

Emergency situations can occur which put fish at risk of harm, including escapes. This may be due to natural disasters, mechanical malfunction, deterioration of water quality, or disease outbreak. Monitoring, recording, and early detection is key to good management of health emergencies.

The HMP/SOP must describe how the company will address these points:

• Contingency plans with detailed protocols must be in place in the event of a fish health emergency, including escape. These protocols must include the increased monitoring of fish health (including mortality) and environmental conditions; and
• In the event of an emergency, immediate action must be taken to reduce harm to fish, including enhanced biosecurity (e.g. if an environmental event is ongoing, delay non-essential work on facility infrastructure which may increase fish stress).

10. Brood stock and breeding practices

Pathogens can be spread from parent to offspring. Following strict biosecurity practices for the collection of eggs and milt, and the handling of brood fish is important for the health management of farms and to minimize this route of transmission.

The HMP/SOP must describe how the company will address these points:

• Fish, eggs, and milt must be handled humanely and hygienically, and all equipment must be thoroughly cleaned and disinfected after use;
• Disease screening must be performed for vertically transmitted diseases, as appropriate for the species. Offspring from sampled fish must be tracked until the screening results are received and reviewed by the fish health lead or team; and
• For egg-laying species, eggs must be safely disinfected following fertilization as appropriate for the species.

Appendix 8: Fish Health Event

Submit this report using the most recent structured data template provided by the Department. The following information must be included:

General Information

• Licence Holder Name
• Facility Reference Number
• Facility Name

Report Details:

• Incident Date
• Associated Mortality Event (Yes/No)
• Species Affected
• Average Weight (grams)
• Occurrence Category
  • New, Ongoing, Recurring
• Containment Structures Affected
• Veterinary Diagnosis
  • Examples include: Atypical aeromonas salmonicida, Aeromonas salmonicida, Bacterial Kidney Disease, Caprellid Infestation, Bacterial Gill Disease, Enteric Redmouth Disease, Infectious Hematopoietic Necrosis, Poor Performers, Saprolegnia Infection, Vibrio Infection, Viral Hemorrhagic Septicemia, Unknown – explain, Other – explain
• Fish Health Mitigation Category (If applicable)
  • Continued Monitoring, All Containment Structures Treated, Affected Containment Structures Treated, Reduce Inventory, Harvest, Cull, Investigation, Quarantine, Other- explain
• Mitigation Description

Guidance:

Fish Health Event means a suspected or confirmed Disease occurrence within an aquaculture Facility that requires the involvement of a veterinarian and implementation of mitigation to reduce associated impact(s) or risk(s). Actions/mitigation could include: treatment(s), targeted sampling, site quarantine, enhanced biosecurity, or culling to control suspected or confirmed Disease.

Incident Date: The date on which treatment mitigation was applied. For example: the date on which treatment or mitigation began, or the quarantine was established, or the disease investigation began.

Occurrence Category:

For Fish Health Events

New: the first occurrence of a given disease on farm in that production cycle.

Ongoing: any disease occurrence previously reported as “New”, “Ongoing” or “Recurring” which is still occurring on farm 30 days after the last submitted FHE report.

Recurring: any disease occurrence which has previously been reported on a farm in that production cycle wherein more than 30 days have passed since the last reporting of that FHE.

Veterinary Diagnosis: May be either a definitive or presumptive diagnosis, made by a licensed veterinarian in BC, which has prompted the mitigative action(s) necessitating the reporting of a Fish Health Event.

Appendix 9-A and B: Fish Stocking, Fish Health and Therapeutant Use

Appendix 9-A Stocking and Fish Health Activity

Further to the definition of “Fish Health Staff (or Team)” in Part A, the designated staff are considered qualified for this role if they have adequate training and experience in the recognition of disease signs. Veterinarians are the only professionals qualified to make diagnoses and prescribe treatment of fish diseases.

Records of stocking and fish health activity shall include the following:

• inventory records (including source, number, location and lot of fish at the facility);
• mortality records including classification and morbidity records;
• signs of increased morbidity;
• fish health monitoring observations (routine, during handling and other activities that may cause stress);
• biosecurity-related records;
• records of fish health events;
• records of major mortality events; water quality records;
• records of mitigative actions (other than therapeutants) taken to prevent or mitigate disease;
• records of samples taken and laboratory analysis related to fish health;
• all Veterinarian or fish health staff reports; and
• records of reporting fish health information to Federal authorities.

Appendix 9-B Use of Therapeutants

Records of the use of all therapeutants shall include the following:

• the facility reference number and the name of Licence Holder;
• the species of finfish cultivated at the facility;
• the name of the prescribing Veterinarian;
• a log naming all drugs administered (therapeutants,)and when;
• how therapeutants were administered and the dosage;
• the therapeutic schedule including the date treatment commenced;
• the final date of treatment;
• the name and signature of the person responsible for administering each treatment;
• the detailed records of in-feed medication administered;
• traceability information related to treated groups that allows them to be readily identifiable through treatment and withdrawal times;
• treated fish movement records; and
• any accidental mixing of treated fish and non-treated fish must be recorded; thereafter the mixed group will be considered tainted until the withdrawal period is reached.

Appendix 10: Freshwater/Land-Based (FWLB) Aquaculture Fish Health Management Plan (HMP) Checklist for Licence Holders

Licence holders or applicants for new FW/LB licences can use this table as a template for their HMP. To do this, licence holders and applicants should first read the requirements Appendix VIII and then initial in the third column below your understanding and commitment to that health requirement. Finally, to demonstrate how your facility achieves that goal, identify the specific Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) that address each requirement in your company’s SOP document, and attach that SOP document to the completed checklist as your HMP submission.

Licence holder/Applicant name:

Facility:

I confirm that this checklist and the attached Standard Operating Procedures document serve as the HMP for the aforementioned facility.

Signature:

Date: