Guide to the Pacific Marine Finfish Aquaculture Application

136 Pages·2014·5.82 MB·English

Guide to the

Pacific Marine Finfish

Aquaculture Application

31 July 2014
TABLE OF CONTENTS

TABLE OF CONTENTS ............................................................................................. 2
INTRODUCTION ..................................................................................................... 4
PREPARATION BEFORE SUBMISSION OF THE APPLICATION .............................................................................5

GLOSSARY ............................................................................................................. 6
PACIFIC MARINE FINFISH AQUACULTURE APPLICATION CHECKLIST ....................... 7
GENERAL INFORMATION ....................................................................................... 8
ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS..............................................................................................................................8

PART I – GENERAL APPLICANT INFORMATION ....................................................... 9
SECTION A: APPLICANT AND GENERAL INFORMATION....................................................................................9
SECTION B: SITE AND INFRASTRUCTURE INFORMATION ...............................................................................11
SECTION C: MAPS AND DIAGRAMS ................................................................................................................20
SECTION D: WATER USE .................................................................................................................................22
SECTION E: FIRST NATIONS CONSIDERATION ................................................................................................23

PART II – INFORMATION FOR THE BC MINISTRY OF FORESTS, LANDS
AND NATURAL RESOURCE OPERATIONS ...........................................................25
SECTION A: SITING CONSIDERATIONS ............................................................................................................25
SECTION B: ADDITIONAL CROWN LANDS INFORMATION ..............................................................................30

PART III – INFORMATION FOR FISHERIES AND OCEANS CANADA ..........................32
SECTION A: SITING CONSIDERATIONS ............................................................................................................32
SECTION B: SPECIES AND PRODUCTION .........................................................................................................32
SECTION C: DOMESTIC WASTE MANAGEMENT .............................................................................................33
SECTION D: FISH HABITAT AND PROTECTION MEASURES..............................................................................34
SECTION E: MANAGEMENT PLANS.................................................................................................................36

PART IV – INFORMATION FOR TRANSPORT CANADA ............................................41
SECTION A: SITING CONSIDERATIONS ............................................................................................................41
SECTION B: ADDITIONAL TRANSPORT CANADA INFORMATION ....................................................................41

PART V – INFORMATION FOR ALL AGENCIES ........................................................42
COMPLETE APPLICATIONS ..............................................................................................................................42
FEE SCHEDULE .................................................................................................................................................42
USE OF INFORMATION ....................................................................................................................................42
APPLICANT SIGNATURE(S)...............................................................................................................................43

APPENDIX A – METES AND BOUNDS INSTRUCTIONS AND CREATING
AN AREA OF INTEREST .....................................................................................44
APPENDIX A‐1 – METES AND BOUNDS DESCRIPTION SAMPLE MAP ......................51
APPENDIX B‐1 – GENERAL LOCATION MAP ...........................................................52
APPENDIX B‐2 – DETAILED LOCATION MAP ..........................................................53
APPENDIX B‐3A – OPERATIONAL TOP VIEW..........................................................54
APPENDIX B‐3B – TOP VIEW AMENDMENT MAP ..................................................55
APPENDIX B‐4 – OPERATIONAL SIDE VIEW ...........................................................56
APPENDIX B‐5 – HABITAT MAP .............................................................................57
GUIDE TO THE PACIFIC MARINE FINFISH AQUACULTURE APPLICATION
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APPENDIX B‐6A – STRUCTURAL AMENDMENTS DIAGRAM ....................................58
APPENDIX B‐6B – STRUCTURAL AMENDMENTS DIAGRAM ....................................59
APPENDIX C – DFO MARINE FISH HABITAT INFORMATION
REQUIREMENTS (HIR) ......................................................................................60
APPENDIX C‐1 – DEPOMOD CANADA, METHODS AND SETTINGS V1.6 ..................73
APPENDIX C‐2.1 – EELGRASS BED SURVEY .........................................................101
APPENDIX C‐2.2 – ABALONE SURVEY PROTOCOL ................................................104
APPENDIX C‐2.3 – SUBTIDAL BIVALVE HABITAT SURVEY ....................................106
APPENDIX C‐2.4 – KELP BEDS .............................................................................107
APPENDIX C‐2.5 – GLASS SPONGE COMPLEXES ..................................................108
APPENDIX C‐2.6 – LINGCOD SPAWNING .............................................................109
APPENDIX C‐2.7 – OTHER CRITICAL/SENSITIVE HABITAT SURVEYS ......................112
APPENDIX C‐3 – CURRENTS METERING ..............................................................113
APPENDIX C‐4 – DEPTH PROFILE EXAMPLES .......................................................116
APPENDIX D – FISH HEALTH MANAGEMENT PLAN ..............................................118
APPENDIX D‐1 – LIST OF STANDARD OPERATING PROCEDURES
(SOP’S) FOR HMP ...........................................................................................128
APPENDIX E – CARCASS MANAGEMENT PLAN (FOR MARINE NON‐
SALMONIDS) ..................................................................................................131
APPENDIX F – ESCAPE PREVENTION AND RESPONSE PLAN .................................132
APPENDIX G – MAMMAL INTERACTION MANAGEMENT PLAN ............................134
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INTRODUCTION

O n December 19, 2010, the federal government referrals, First Nation consultation, and public
undertook responsibility for the management comments. Throughout the review process, federal
and regulation of aquaculture in British Columbia. and provincial agencies will retain their respective
Fisheries and Oceans Canada (DFO) is the agency authorities; however, efforts will be made to
responsible for regulating, monitoring and licensing coordinate activities where possible and this may
all aquaculture operations in the province (with the include the timing and communication of
exception of those sites culturing only marine decisions.
plants). DFO's responsibility includes most aspects
At the completion of the review process each
of the industry including but not limited to species,
agency will make its independent decision under
production practices and volumes, fish
the relevant legislation.
containment, fish health, sea lice levels, waste
An application must be submitted and approved
control and fish habitat and protection measures.
for any of the following:
Transport Canada (TC) is the federal department
responsible for reviewing and approving  A new marine finfish aquaculture facility;

applications for the placement of aquaculture  An amendment to an existing federal
containment and/or structures within the aquaculture licence or provincial Crown land
navigable waters of Canada. tenure, such as:

The Ministry of Forests, Lands and Natural • Change in production (increase, decrease
Resource Operations (FLNR) is the provincial or transfer);
Ministry responsible for the issuance and • Change in species;
management of Crown land tenures, including • Change in infrastructure for proposed
tenures for aquaculture facilities and associated increases to the intensive use area, or,
for proposed reductions to the intensive
ancillary foreshore or upland use. In addition, and
use area if a rent review or reduction is
until such time as the provincial Fisheries Act is requested;
repealed or amended, the Province will issue
• Change in infrastructure location
aquaculture (business‐type) licences, limited to the (orientation or alternate footprint);
location of the aquaculture activity, in order that • Increase, decrease or relocation to
operators are compliant with the current tenure boundaries;
legislation. • Change in ownership or company name.

The Guide to the Pacific Marine Finfish Aquaculture  Premature tenure replacement;
Application (“the guide”) describes the information
 Rebuild, repair or alteration of an existing
required by the federal and provincial agencies to
aquaculture facility that has a Navigation
review an application for a marine finfish
Protection Act (NPA) authorization.
aquaculture facility in British Columbia. The guide
Please note, in addition to the harmonized
provides:
application form, there may be additional
 A clear explanation of the required
provincial authorizations (e.g. water licence, Crown
components of an application; and
land tenure for utility line) required for a facility

 Resources, including internet links, that need to be submitted on separate
government contacts and other information applications. Please contact FrontCounter BC to
that may provide additional assistance for obtain the necessary application form(s).
completing an application.
For federal authorizations that have
As applicable, the federal and provincial agencies expiry dates ensure the applicable
will coordinate the review and assessment of agency is contacted prior to expiry.

applications, including government agency

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PREPARATION BEFORE SUBMISSION OF 5. Consult the Introductions and Transfers
THE APPLICATION Committee (ITC) webpage
(http://www.pac.dfo‐
It is in the best interest of the proponent to submit
mpo.gc.ca/aquaculture/licence‐permis/intro‐
a complete application as it will facilitate the
trans/index‐eng.html) and/or refer to Part III,
processing and review of the application.
Section B: Species and Production for a list of
Incomplete applications will not be accepted.
species that are deemed low‐risk for
In order to gather the necessary background introduction and transfer to aquaculture
information and assess the feasibility of the facilities.
proposal, it is recommended the following steps be
Note that species not included on the list, along
undertaken:
with those species that are currently prohibited for
1. Conduct a preliminary assessment of the import under Section 5, Schedule VIII of the Pacific
application area to determine if there are any Fishery Regulations (also listed in Part III, Section B:
interests or conflicts, overlapping or in the Species and Production), will require an in‐depth
vicinity of the proposed area, using the review and/or risk analysis by the Introductions
Integrated Land Resource Registry (ILRR), a and Transfers Committee and may not be
provincial mapping database. The ILRR is a approved for aquaculture purposes.

spatially enabled, comprehensive register of
For further information, contact the ITC directly at
legal interests, rights, designations, and
FAMITC@dfo‐mpo.gc.ca.
administrative boundaries on Crown land. It
6. Contact FrontCounter BC or the applicable
also has information on land and resource
agencies if there are any questions or
restrictions and reservations (e.g. parks) and
clarification required prior to submission of an
locations of private land. The ILRR and online
application
guidance tools on how to use the database are

accessed through the following website : Specific questions related to provincial tenuring or
http://geobc.gov.bc.ca/rrr/ilrr/ the application process should be directed to:
FrontCounter BC
2. Review the siting considerations established by
[email protected]
the provincial and federal governments (Parts
1‐877‐855‐3222
II and III, Section A)

Specific questions related to federal aquaculture
3. Consider information sharing with applicable
licensing should be directed to the applicable email
First Nations. IMap will assist in the
address:
identification of the First Nations. See IMAP
link: http://maps.gov.bc.ca/ess/sv/imapbc. Fisheries and Oceans Canada
Also, please see: “Building Relationships with Shellfish.Aquaculture@dfo‐mpo.gc.ca
First Nations: Respecting Rights and Doing Aquaculture.Licensing@dfo‐mpo.gc.ca

Good Business”:
Specific questions related to federal navigable
http://www.gov.bc.ca/arr/consultation/dow
water requirements should be directed to:
n/workingwithfirstnations_document.pdf
Transport Canada

4. Ensure the area is zoned for the intended use pacnwp‐[email protected]
by contacting local government 1‐604‐775‐8867
(http://www.civicinfo.bc.ca/11.asp) and
reviewing coastal land use plans
(www.ilmb.gov.bc.ca)
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GLOSSARY

Amendment ‐ Means a change to an existing providing recommendations on issuance of the
authorization. associated licences.

Application Package ‐ Means the Pacific Transfer ‐ Means the movement of individuals
Marine Finfish Aquaculture Application and of a species or population of live fish (seed,
other supporting materials required for spat, eggs, juveniles or adults) from one
submission of an aquaculture proposal under location to another within its present range
the Fisheries Act (Pacific Aquaculture and includes transfers to or from a hatchery or
Regulations), Navigation Protection Act and/or other fish breeding or holding facility.
BC Land Act.
Third Party Assessment ‐ Means an

Chart Datum ‐ Means the level of water that assessment undertaken by someone other
charted depths displayed on a nautical chart than the government or the applicant.
are measured from.

Containment Structures ‐ Means net pens, bag
cages, tanks or similar structures used to
contain fish for the purpose of aquaculture.

COT ‐ Means Certificate of Title.

DFO ‐ Means Fisheries and Oceans Canada.
Finfish ‐ Means fish of the class Osteichthyes.
Finfish Aquaculture ‐ Means the growing and
cultivation of finfish for commercial purposes
in any water environment or in human made
containers of water.

FLNR ‐ Means the BC Ministry of Forests, Lands
and Natural Resource Operations.

Grow‐out‐ Means growing‐out a product from
juvenile to market size or harvest.

Introduction ‐ Means the transport and
release of live fish (seed, spat, eggs, juveniles
or adults) into waters outside their present
range, and includes movement of fish from a
hatchery or other fish breeding or holding
facility to the marine environment.

Introductions and Transfers Committee (ITC) ‐
Means the Federal‐Provincial joint committee
responsible for reviewing applications for the
introductions and transfers of fish and
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PACIFIC MARINE FINFISH AQUACULTURE
APPLICATION CHECKLIST

For New Applications, complete all sections For Tenure Boundary or Infrastructure
as outlined below: Amendment applications, complete sections
outlined below:
Part I – General Applicant Information

 Section A: Applicant and General Information Applicants should contact the individual
 Section B: Site and Infrastructure Information agencies for specific requirements and
guidance prior to completing and
 Section C: Maps and Diagrams
submitting the amendment application.
 Section D: Water Use
 Section E: First Nations Consideration Part I – Tenure Boundary amendment (with or
without infrastructure changes) – All
Part II – Information for the BC Ministry of
sections.
Forests, Lands and Natural Resource
Operations (FLNR)* Part II – All sections.

 Section A: Siting Considerations Part III – Only report E2 is required; in some cases
 Section B: Additional Crown Lands Information additional benthic ROV, sediment
sampling surveys, modelling, and currents
Part III – Information for Fisheries and Oceans metering may be required.
Canada (DFO)
Part IV – All sections
 Section A: Siting Considerations
 Section B: Species and Production Part V – All sections

 Section C: Domestic Waste Management For Species Amendments (federal
 Section D: Fish Habitat and Protection authorization only)*, complete sections
Measures outlined below:
• D1 Modelling
Part I – Sections A and E only
• D2 Habitat Surveys and Sampling

Part III – Section B, Section E (reports E1 and E3
• D3 Currents Metering
only)
 Section E: Management Plans

Part V – All sections
• E1 Inventory Plan

• E2 Containment Array Management Plan For Production Amendments (federal
• E3 Health Management Plan authorization only)*, complete sections
• E4 Escape Prevention and Response Plan outlined below:
• E5 Chemical and Other Substances
Part I – Sections A and E only
Management Plan
• E6 Marine Mammal Conflict Mitigation Part III – Section B, some sub‐sections of D and E
Management Plan may be required
Part IV – Information for Transport Canada Part V – All sections

 Section A: Siting Considerations For Assignment/Tenure holder changes,
 Section B: Additional Transport Canada complete sections outlined below:
Information
Part I – All sections
Part V – Information for All Agencies
Part II – All sections
 Provincial Fees
 Forms of Payment Part V – All sections
 Signature(s) of Applicant(s)

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GENERAL INFORMATION

ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS
Fisheries and Oceans Canada

To apply for Pacific Marine Finfish Aquaculture Requirements
authorizations, an applicant must meet the
To be eligible for an aquaculture licence under the
following requirements:
Pacific Aquaculture Regulations, Fisheries Act

(Canada), applicants must be:
Provincial Requirements

 Individual(s) or companies legally entitled to
To be eligible for a Crown land tenure under the BC
operate a business in Canada; and
Land Act, applicants must be:

 At least 19 years of age.
 Canadian citizens or permanent residents 19

years of age or older; or,
Transport Canada Requirements

 Corporations which are incorporated or
To be eligible for a Navigation Protection Act (NPA)
registered in British Columbia; or,
approval, applicants may be:

 Registered partnerships, cooperatives, or non‐
 A federal, provincial, or municipal government;
profit societies which are formed under the
or
relevant provincial statutes.

 A person, company, organization or Crown

Corporation.
Additional Requirements: First Nations

First Nations applying through band corporations

or Indian Band and Tribal Councils: Band or Tribal
Councils require a Band Council Resolution In response to the Commission of Inquiry on
authorizing the council to enter into the tenure the Decline of Sockeye Salmon in the Fraser
River; the Province will not accept
arrangement, and giving the signatories of the
applications for new salmon net‐pen
tenure document the ability to sign on behalf of aquaculture facilities, or amendments at
the Band. For tenures that are to be registered in existing farms for the purposes of production
increases in the Discovery Islands until
the Land Title Office, First Nations must apply
September 30, 2020. The Province will
through either a band corporation or trustees.
consider amendments in the Discovery
Band members can elect one or more trustees to Islands in accordance with its mandate and
hold a tenure on behalf of the Band. Verification of jurisdiction under the Land Act and
associated regulations and policies.
election must be by way of a letter signed by the

Chief and counselors of the Band giving the full

names of the trustees and stating that they were
elected at a properly convened meeting of the
Band. A Band Council Resolution is not required.

Additional Requirments: Non‐Canadians
In the case of aquatic land, non‐Canadians can
apply if they own the adjacent upland. Companies
must still be incorporated or registered in BC.
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PART I – GENERAL APPLICANT INFORMATION

SECTION A: APPLICANT AND GENERAL INFORMATION

1. Applicant Name(s) (Full Legal Name(s) or Registered Company):
Provide your full legal name or Registered Company name.

Applicant Business Information:
Telephone:
Provide your business phone number, including area code.

Cell:
Provide your business cell phone number, including area code.

Fax:
Provide your business fax phone number, including area code.

Email:
Provide your business email address.

2. Applicant Business Mailing Address:
Provide the address, including postal code, to which all correspondence regarding
this application should be sent.

3. Doing Business as:
Provide the name under which you are conducting your business if it is different
than the full legal applicant name(s) or registered company name.
4. BC Inc. #, BC Registration # or BC Society #:
Provide your BC Incorporation number, BC Registration number or Society number.

5. Physical Business Address (if different from above):
Provide the address of the facility if it is different from the mailing address.

6. Contact Name (if different from above):
If someone other than the applicant is to be contacted in regard to this application,
enter the name of the person.
Contact Business Information:
Telephone:
Provide your contact’s business phone number, including area code.

Cell:
Provide your contact’s business cell phone number, including area code.

Fax:
Provide your contact’s business fax phone number, including area code.

Email:
Provide your contact’s business email address.
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7. Agent/Representative (if applicable):
Provide the name of the person authorized by you to act for you in the processing
of your application, if applicable. This is usually a contractor or consultant but can
be anyone who is authorized to act on your behalf.
Agent/Representative Business Information:
Telephone:
Provide your agent/representative’s business phone number, including area code.

Cell:
Provide your agent/representative’s business cell phone number, including area
code.
Fax:
Provide your agent/representative’s business fax phone number, including area
code.

Email:
Provide your agent/representative’s business email address.

8. Business Mailing Address of Agent/Representative:
Provide the mailing address of your agent/representative, including postal code.

Letter of Authorization:  Yes  No
If you have authorized another party to act for you in the processing of your
application, you must submit your signed letter appointing the agent. Check “Yes”
if you are attaching the letter of authorization, otherwise check “No”.
The letter must contain the following information:

 Name, address and telephone number of agent

 Purpose of appointment

 Term of appointment

 Your name, address and telephone number

9. Type of Application:
New Site
Check New Site if you are applying to establish a new aquaculture facility and
indicate the type of tenure you are applying for: Investigative Permit, Licence of
Occupation, or Lease.

An Investigative Permit is not a typical form of allocation for aquaculture. Where
the circumstances warrant, a permit may be issued to allow for the investigation of
project feasibility or the placement of monitoring equipment. In general, a permit
holder may not conduct commercial activity under an Investigative Permit.
A Licence of Occupation is the most common form of Crown land tenure for
aquaculture. It conveys non‐exclusive use for the purpose described, is not a
registerable interest that can be mortgaged, and does not require a survey. A
Licence of Occupation does not allow the tenure holder to curtail public access over
the licenced area except where it would impact the licensees’ right to use the land as
per the licence document.
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