Canada implements interim measures for open net-pen Salmon aquaculture.
The Government of Canada has introduced enhanced oversight for the remaining open net-pen salmon aquaculture operations in British Columbia, as part of a gradual transition to closed containment systems by 2029.
The interim measures aim to ensure responsible management until the full ban is in effect, according to the draft of its plan to transition British Columbia’s salmon farming industry away from open net-pen systems.
Breaking: Canada unveils plan to phase out open net-pen salmon farming in British Columbia
New licensing conditions, effective July 1, 2024, include stricter thresholds for sea lice during wild salmon migrations, mandatory reporting of marine mammal interactions, and detailed inventory accounting for harvests, mortalities, predator encounters, and escapes.
The Government of Canada will conduct a review of these measures in two years to assess the need for further protections.
The remaining open net-pens will be managed in collaboration with First Nations and government partners, with enhanced monitoring and transparency. First Nations will play a key role in monitoring activities and contributing to data transparency and reporting.
Public reporting on compliance, including sea lice standards, seafloor impacts, and salmon feed practices, will be published annually. The government has stressed the importance of strict oversight, with potential penalties for serious non-compliance, including suspension or cancellation of licenses.
