Aquaculture – Commercial Finfish/Shellfish/Aquatic Plants

Aquaculture – Commercial Finfish/Shellfish/Aquatic Plants

Operate a marine/freshwater/land based facility for the purposes of cultivating shellfish, finfish or aquatic plants.

Contents:

About this Activity Guide

This guide summarizes the most common requirements and recommendations for your chosen activity and is designed to help you submit a complete application. Be aware that this information is for guidance purposes only.

All new and amendment applications for the authorizations noted below are part of the harmonized Pacific Shellfish, Pacific Marine Finfish, or Pacific Freshwater/Land-Based Application package. Depending upon the type of application/amendment some portions of the application may not need to be completed.

If a person or company wants to cultivate any finfish, or shellfish species in the marine environment, fresh water environment, or at a land based facility an aquaculture harmonized application form is required.  

This harmonized application form includes the following authorizations:

Depending upon the application type and location, not all of the above authorizations may be required.  For example, if proposing a land based facility on private land there would be no requirement for crown land tenure or a navigation permit.

FrontCounter BC is the single point of contact for all aquaculture applications, even if the application does not require provincial authorization.

For further information about the Aquaculture Authorizations,  please refer to Land Use – Aquaculture.

Need Help? Contact FrontCounter BC

Mandatory Authorizations

Authorization Name Link to Authorization Guidance Link to Application
Pacific Shellfish New Site Application Authorization Guidance Apply Now
Pacific Shellfish Amendment Application Authorization Guidance Apply Now
Pacific Finfish New Site Application Authorization Guidance Apply Now
Pacific Finfish Amendment Application Authorization Guidance Apply Now
Pacific Freshwater/Land-Based New Site Application Authorization Guidance Apply Now
Pacific Freshwater/Land-Based Amendment Application Authorization Guidance Apply Now
Pacific Aquatic Plant or Co-Culture New Application Authorization Guidance Apply Now
Pacific Aquatic Plant or Co-Culture Amendment Application Authorization Guidance Apply Now
For further information about the Aquaculture Authorizations, please refer to Land Use – Aquaculture.    

Costs

Cost may be a specific value or range of values. The cost includes GST, where applicable.

Authorization Cost Type Cost Description Cost Link to Details
Crown Land Tenure – New (Land Act) Application Fee Application processing fee that is due when the application is submitted. $5171.25 for Finfish
$1260 for Shellfish		 Land Procedure - Crown Land Fees
Crown Land Tenure – Amendment (Land Act) Application Fee Application processing fee that is due when the application is submitted. Varies Land Procedure - Crown Land Fees
Crown Land Tenure (Land Act) Rental fee Crown Land rental fee which is prepaid on an annual basis. Varies Land Policy - Pricing
Crown Land Tenure (Land Act) Insurance A minimum level of liability insurance as specified in policy. Varies Land Use Operational Policy - Aquaculture
Crown Land Tenure (Land Act) Security A security deposit may be required to ensure the tenure holder complies with and completes all the obligations and requirements specified in the tenure. Varies Land Use Operational Policy - Aquaculture
Aquaculture Licence (Fisheries Act) Administrative flat fee when new licence, renewed licence or change of ownership occurs A one-time fee to partially cover the administrative and licence issuance costs. $104 Federal Aquaculture Fees
Aquaculture Licence (Fisheries Act) Annual fee Annual fee based on access to the resource. Varies, cost per tonne of maximum licenced biomass or per hectare of licenced tenure or area of cultivation. Federal Aquaculture Fees

Eligibility Requirements

Ensure that you meet the eligibility requirements prior to applying.

Authorization Requirement Description
Crown Land Tenure
  • Age
  • Citizenship
  • 19 years of age minimum
  • Canadian Citizen or corporation, Permanent Resident or authorized to work in Canada
Aquaculture licence
  • Age
  • Citizenship
  • 19 years of age minimum
  • Canadian Citizen or corporation, Permanent Resident or authorized to work in Canada
Navigation Protection Act Approval
  • Age
  • Citizenship
  • 19 years of age minimum
  • Canadian Citizen or corporation, Permanent Resident or authorized to work in Canada

Information Requirements

Authorization Requirement Description Link to Details
All Aquaculture Authorizations Copy of the Harmonized Application Form. A harmonized application form to be submitted to FrontCounter BC for all aquaculture applications. Land Use - Aquaculture
Shellfish Application forms Maps and operational diagram depicting tenure area, and infrastructure. The maps/diagrams needed are dependent upon application type and may include:

1. General Location Map
2. Detailed Location Map
3. Application Area Map
4. Top view operational diagram
5. Side view operational diagram 		Shellfish Application Guidebook
Marine Finfish Application form Maps and operational diagram depicting tenure area, infrastructure, and habitat. The maps/diagrams needed

1. General Location Map
2. Detailed Location Map
3. Application Area Map
4. Top view operational diagram
5. Side view operational diagram
6. Habitat Map 		Finfish Application Guidebook
Freshwater/Land Based Application Form Maps and operational diagram depicting tenure area, infrastructure, and habitat. The maps/diagrams needed

1. General Location Map
2. Detailed Location Map
3. Application Area Map
4. Top view operational diagram
5. Side view operational diagram
6. Habitat Map 		Freshwater/Land-Based Application Guidebook

Potential Additional Requirements

Requirement Description When is it Required?
Agent Letter Signed and dated letter providing approval for agent or consultant to act on behalf of applicant. Legal names/entities to be used on letter. When an agent or consultant will be acting on behalf of applicant.
Crown Land Authorization Authorization to use Crown land for other activities. If crown land is required for other purposes to support aquaculture facility i.e. utilities, permit to cross crown land.
Introduction and Transfer of Species Permit to introduce or transfer species. Required for any movement of live fish into or within British Columbia to a fish-rearing facility or release into natural waters of British Columbia, movement of fish into a research/educational facility (under certain conditions), any movements of salmon between licensed aquaculture facilities and any movements of shellfish across transfer zones and any other movement of fish not covered under the federal aquaculture conditions of licence (e.g.: transfers of non-salmonid marine finfish species).
Local Government Zoning Bylaws Check applicable local government bylaws to identify any requirements. When activity is located within local government area such as a municipality.
Water Rights Authorization under the Water Sustainability Act which allows you to use freshwater, or to work in or around freshwater. If you will be using or working in or around freshwater.
Link Description
Fisheries and Oceans Canada – Aquaculture in BC
Navigation Protection Program
Aquatic Plants
Need Help? Contact FrontCounter BC

Other Things You Should Know

Archaeology Information
Archaeological sites are protected under the Heritage Conservation Act and must not be altered or damaged without a permit issued by the Archaeology Branch. Information regarding potential risks to protected archaeological sites may be obtained by submitting an online data request form to the Archaeology Branch or by contacting a professional archaeologist via the BC Association of Professional Archaeologists (www.bcapa.ca) or via local directories. Visit the Archaeology Branch website for more information.

BCeID - What Is It and Why Get It?
BCeID is an online service that allows you to create a user ID and password to sign in securely to many Government services in British Columbia. The benefits of having a BCeID account include:

  • Stop and start. Save and return later to complete your application without losing any information previously entered.
  • Real time status information. Check the status of your application in real time.
  • Access your applications for multiple people (Business BCeID only) to edit or submit your application or check its status. To enroll in this service, visit the BCeID web page: FrontCounter BC - BCeID

Consulting with First Nations

  • The Province is committed to reconciliation as part of the Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous People Act.
  • The Province is responsible for ensuring adequate and appropriate consultation and accommodation, it may involve the proponent in the procedural aspects of consultation.
Proponents are encouraged to engage with First Nations as early as possible in the planning stages to build relationships and for information sharing purposes. To get more information about the guidelines and procedure manuals that are designed to assist government officials and proponents with meeting consultation obligations, please visit the Consulting with First Nations web page.

Legal Disclaimer
This guide provides the most current and accurate information available to the Government of British Columbia at the time of publishing; however, we make no warranty regarding the completeness, currency or accuracy of this information. This information is for guidance purposes only and does not replace legislated requirements. Each application is unique and circumstances may result in additional requirements beyond those included in this guide.

Last Updated: July 14, 2023