OTTAWA, Ontario
The Honourable Gail Shea, Minister of Fisheries and Oceans, announced today that the Department will be implementing multi-year licensing for aquaculture operators in British Columbia.
The changes will provide the industry with more operational certainty and longer term planning capacity while allowing them to invest in sustainable practices.
Aquaculture owners and operators will still have to meet their licence conditions throughout the period for which their multi-year licence is issued. Should they contravene these conditions, Fisheries and Oceans Canada has the authority to suspend or revoke the licence.
The Government of Canada continues to engage with First Nations, industry, provincial authorities, and environmental organizations on the duration of multi-year licensing for implementation in Spring 2015.
“Implementing multi-year licences with annual fees by instalment will increase operational certainty and stability for aquaculture operators in British Columbia by improving their investment and insurance opportunities. Our Government is proud to take further steps to enable the aquaculture industry to thrive and create much needed jobs in rural, coastal and Aboriginal communities, while being sustainable and environmentally responsible.”
The Honourable Gail Shea, Minister of Fisheries and Oceans
Sophie Doucet
Director of Communications
Office of the Minister
Fisheries and Oceans Canada
613-992-3474
Frank Stanek
Media Relations
Fisheries and Oceans Canada
Ottawa, Ontario
613-990-7537
NR-HQ-15-04E
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