WHEREAS the federal government has developed Pacific Aquaculture Regulations under the Fisheries Act which have established a new regulatory regime with respect to commercial aquaculture operations on the British Columbia coast; AND WHEREAS it is critical that operational compliance standards under the regulations include provisions to mitigate the potential for negative impacts on adjacent land uses: THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that Fisheries Oceans Canada be requested to expand the current license templates for marine finfish, shellfish and freshwater aquaculture to include specific operational compliance standards that serve to mitigate the potential for negative impact of aquaculture operations on adjacent land uses; AND BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that Fisheries Oceans Canada be requested to defer approval of new aquaculture operations pending written confirmation from local governments that such operations are in compliance with local government regulations; AND BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that Fisheries Oceans Canada be requested to convene a meeting of British Columbia coastal communities, regional districts, local governments and First Nations to provide more clarity on the Pacific Aquaculture Regulations.
