What actions take place after an escape occurs?
Whenever there is an escape from a fish farm in British Columbia, the following steps are taken: By law, farm operators must immediately initiate Escape Response Plans, notify the Ministry of Agriculture and Lands within 24 hours, and provide a written report within one week. The Ministry will immediately launch an investigation and inform Ministry compliance and enforcement staff, Atlantic Salmon Watch, Fisheries and Oceans Canada and the Ministry of Environment of the escape. Investigations by MAL staff generally include site visits, a visit to company headquarters, and interviews with farm workers, headquarters staff, and other appropriate individuals (for example, divers contracted by the company to inspect nets). The Ministry has six months to investigate and initiate a complaint against a company after the incident, if appropriate.
