What is DFO’s role in aquaculture management?
DFO’s aquaculture-related activities include: • Developing and testing methods for predicting and measuring the effects of aquaculture operations on the ocean floor; • Reviewing licence applications for new finfish or shellfish farms – as well as those up for renewal – to identify and mitigate environmental interactions such as the potential effects on marine habitat and wild fish stocks; • Conduct screenings under the Canadian Environmental Assessment Act to determine all potential impacts of fish farm operations; • Studying the interactions and impacts of escaped fish; • Working with industry to develop new fish health protocols and tools, including more sensitive tests and vaccines; • Enforce the Fisheries Act and other legislation where applicable; and, • Conduct research into new species diversification for their commercial potential.
