Whereas aquaculture is an important economic driver for the Province of British Columbia, particularly on Vancouver Island; And whereas the proposed Aquaculture Act must ensure decisions are based on scientific facts and technology, and take into consideration all stakeholder input: Therefore be it resolved that the UBCM urge the Province to lobby the federal government to ensure that the proposed Aquaculture Act include language which ensures that all decisions on the management of aquaculture on the BC Coastline are based on science and evidence-based information with clear understanding of the advancement in technology and include all representatives of local or regional communities as stakeholders.
Ministry of Forests, Lands, Natural Resource Operations and Rural Development and Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Fisheries Government is interested in supporting local government interests in aquaculture in general, and in ensuring that the federal government in its development of an Aquaculture Act, considers local governments interests. It is helpful to note that UBCM made a direct submission to Fisheries and Oceans Canada DFO requesting local government engagement as DFO further develops the new legislation. This will help to underscore the importance of local government engagement. Ministry officials, on behalf of the Province of British Columbia and a number of provincial agencies, recently included in its significant high-level feedback on the proposed Act to DFO that, The Act must support and implement local governments objectives and zoning;. Work on these and related issues will continue through discussions on the creation and implementation of the Aquaculture Act through the Canadian Council of Fisheries and Aquaculture Ministers CCFAM, and through bilateral discussions with DFO.