Management of Canadian aquaculture indicator: data sources and methods, chapter 5

5. Caveats and limitations

The indicator is limited to regulations under the Fisheries Act, where Canada regulates the aquaculture industry in order to protect fish and fish habitat. It does not include other enforcement tools under the Fisheries Act, such as education, inspections to monitor or verify compliance, investigations of alleged violations, warnings, Inspector's Directions, Ministerial Orders, and prosecutions with fines reaching up to $2 million, imprisonment up to three years, or both in the case of an individual. Maximum fines are higher when a corporation is found guilty of violating the pollution prevention provisions of the Fisheries Act.

Outside of British Columbia and Prince Edward Island, provinces and Yukon manage aquaculture activities under their own laws and regulations, including managing potential environmental impacts, animal welfare, fish health and/or pest control products.

In July 2015, Fisheries and Oceans Canada developed the Aquaculture Activities Regulations under the Fisheries Act. The regulations clarify conditions under which all licensed aquaculture operators in Canada may treat their fish for disease and parasites, as well as deposit organic matter, under sections 35 and 36 of the Fisheries Act. Compliance with the new regulations is expected to contribute to future reports.