Background on the draft Pacific Aquaculture Regulations
The draft Pacific Aquaculture Regulations
are the result of the February 9, 2009 British Columbia Supreme Court
(BCSC) ruling that aquaculture is a fishery and therefore to be regulated
federally, not by the Province of British Columbia. In order to allow the
federal government time to develop regulations, the BCSC agreed to suspend its
decision until December 18, 2010. The regulation of salmon aquaculture in B.C.
will effectively be transferred to DFO as of this date.
This transfer of
regulation offered DFO the opportunity to develop regulations that:
- Provide a more transparent and accountable licensing regime and effective enforcement
- Create the conditions necessary for the industry to embrace technological innovation and;
- Protect the wild salmon.
The SOS Marine Conservation Foundation joined many other stakeholders by participating in the consultation process, providing detailed input on the opportunity presented to meet these goals and rebuild public confidence in the regulation of salmon aquaculture in B.C.
Upon reviewing the draft Regulations (available here), it is difficult to describe the disappointment and sense of lost opportunity we collectively experienced. The draft Regulations fall desperately short of these goals and do not reflect the input provided in the consultation process.
SOS has submitted detailed feedback on the draft Regulations and will be contacting key politicians prior to the Regulations being finalized and promulgated.
However, your input is needed too. It is essential for the Federal Government to know just how many Canadians demand transparent and accountable regulation of salmon aquaculture and do not accept that the draft Regulations do not reflect the input of stakeholders.
Click here for key shortcomings and what you can do.
