WHEREAS the Provincial Ministry of Agriculture recently issued harvesting licences that allow for the removal of thousands of tonnes of beach-cast seaweed from the Vancouver Island shoreline; AND WHEREAS local governments were not aware of the issuance of these licences and are not made aware of other licences issued by the Province that may impact local government: THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that the provincial government be required to inform local governments and allow them the opportunity to comment and ensure local government zoning is in place prior to issuing licences for activity to take place on lands within or adjacent to any local government.
Ministry of Agriculture Aquatic plant harvesting is seasonal and transient in nature, does not involve long-term occupancy of the land, nor any structures or works to be placed on the land, and as such, is outside of the jurisdiction of local government zoning. While, the legislation that governs the harvest Fisheries Act and Fisheries Act Regulations imposes no legal requirement to refer applications to local governments or to the public, Ministry staff would be pleased to work with local governments to explain the nature of the harvest and to assist with any public inquiries they receive.