General Aquaculture Regulations

Enabling act(s): Fisheries Act

Description of the objective

Fisheries and Oceans Canada will be pursuing the development of a new set of federal regulations, otherwise known as the General Aquaculture Regulations (GAR). The proposed regulations are a key outcome of the Treasury Board of Canada Secretariat Regulatory Review of the Agriculture and Agri-food sector.

The GAR would streamline aquaculture-specific regulatory provisions, reduce administrative burden and red tape, increase regulatory transparency, and consider forward-looking authorities. The proposed new regulations would provide clarity and certainty to the aquaculture industry, while enhancing environmental protection and overall sustainability of the sector.

Development of the GAR will consider the shared federal-provincial jurisdiction over aquaculture, avoid duplication with provincial legislation and regulations, and recognize regional differences in the aquaculture sector where applicable.

Within the GAR process, Fisheries and Oceans Canada is proposing to amend and/or consolidate all aquaculture-related regulatory provisions into one set of regulations. More specifically, the department will:

• Amend provisions in relevant Fisheries Act regulations, such as the Atlantic Fishery Regulations, 1985 (AFR) and Maritime Provinces Fishery Regulations (MPFR ), to remove any reference to aquaculture in regulations aimed at the management of wild capture fisheries;
• amalgamate and update the Aquaculture Activities Regulations, section 56 of the Fisheries (General) Regulations and the Pacific Aquaculture Regulations provisions; and,
• integrate provisions to allow for the incorporation of national aquaculture standards once developed.

Indication of business impacts

There may be business impacts. The “One-for-One” Rule and/or Small Business Lens may apply.

Regulatory cooperation efforts (domestic and international)

As part of the development of the proposed regulations, Fisheries and Oceans Canada will work closely with provinces and territories, though the Canadian Council of Fisheries and Aquaculture Ministers, to respect provincial/territorial jurisdictions and endeavour to align with their aquaculture regimes.

As an outcome of direct involvement with the Canada-United States Regulatory Cooperation Council on aquaculture issues, the Department will be working in close consultation with the US National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration when developing the proposed GAR.

Public consultation opportunities

Engagement efforts on the proposed GAR will take place during the 2019-2021 period of this Forward Plan.

Further information

N/A

Departmental contact

Dean Medeiros
Manager, Aquaculture Management Directorate
Telephone: 613-301-1904
Fax: 613-990-9574
Email: dean.medeiros@dfo-mpo.gc.ca

Date the regulatory initiative was first included in the Forward Regulatory Plan: 2019