MARINE FINFISH AQUACULTURE MANAGEMENT ADVISORY COMMITTEE (AMAC) Summary Notes (DRAFT) Marriott Vancouver Airport, Richmond, BC March 6, 2014

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1 MARINE FINFISH AQUACULTURE MANAGEMENT ADVISORY COMMITTEE (AMAC) Summary Notes (DRAFT) Marriott Vancouver Airport, Richmond, BC March 6, 2014 Meeting Objective: To bring together a range of interests related to aquaculture in order to discuss and provide advice to DFO regarding aquaculture management in British Columbia. DFO will provide an update on emerging marine finfish aquaculture topics. AMAC will review and provide feedback on the DFO decision on the MF-AMAC Terms of Reference. An introductory discussion with the MF-AMAC will take place with respect to the way that science informs DFO s aquaculture management and how the AMAC would like to engage further in sciencerelated discussions. Initial feedback is requested from the MF-AMAC on the MF Conditions of Licence renewal in Representatives at the Table: Aquaculture Industry: Clare Backman, Sustainability Programs Director, Marine Harvest Canada Marilyn Hutchinson, Director of Sustainability and Growth, Grieg Seafood Laurie Jensen, Communications and Corporate Sustainability Manager, Mainstream Canada Aquaculture Industry Associations: Colleen Dane, Communications Manager, BC Salmon Farmers Association Richard Harry, Executive Director, Aboriginal Aquaculture Association First Nations: Katie Beach, BC Interior (Lower Fraser Fisheries Alliance) Moses Martin, West Coast Vancouver Island (Tla-o-qui-aht First Nations) Mike Reid, Central Coast (Heiltsuk Integrated Resource Management Department) Fisheries and Oceans Canada: Jon Chamberlain, Senior Fisheries and Aquaculture Management Officer, DFO Brenda M c Corquodale, Senior Aquaculture Management Coordinator Bernie Taekema, Senior Aquaculture Management Coordinator, DFO Diana Trager, Director, Aquaculture Management Observers in Gallery: Chief Bill Cranmer, Chief, 'Namgis First Nation Monica Fitzgerald, Governance Officer, Aquaculture Management, DFO 1

2 David Stirling, Aquaculture Business Technical Expert, Aboriginal Aquaculture Association Michelle Tung, First Nations Fisheries Council Jennifer Woodland, Aquaculture Business Technical Expert, Aboriginal Aquaculture Association Facilitator: Craig Darling, Accord Canada Collaboration Resources Materials Distributed (list): Draft Aquaculture Management Advisory Committee (AMAC) Summary Notes October 2, 2013 Meeting Draft Aquaculture Management Advisory Committee (AMAC) Recommendation and Response Log PowerPoint Presentation: AMAC role in Science Related to Aquaculture Management Discussion Summary and Action Items: Introductions and Overview of Agenda Diana Trager welcomed participants. Craig Darling provided the meeting participants with an overview of the role of the meeting participant and the role of the meeting observer, as well as an overview of the meeting agenda and the meeting objectives. Review notes and outstanding action items from last meeting Brenda M c Corquodale asked the meeting participants if they had any questions and/or concerns with the meeting notes and action items from the October 2, 2013 AMAC meeting. No concerns were expressed by meeting participants. Brenda M c Corquodale reviewed the Aquaculture Management Advisory Committee (AMAC) Recommendation and Response Log with meeting participants. There was general support for continuing to develop a recommendation and response log to track feedback at AMACs. Director of Aquaculture Update Diana Trager (DFO) Diana Trager provided general aquaculture updates as follows: Update on DFO s resumption of review of marine finfish aquaculture applications and amendments From July 2011 until late October 2013, DFO operated under an interim policy whereby decisions regarding marine finfish aquaculture applications for new sites or amendments to sites that would result in a significant increase environmental 2

3 footprint were put on hold. In late October 2013, the decision was made by the Minister to resume consideration of new marine finfish aquaculture applications and amendments, with the exception of the Discovery Islands area (Fish Health Zone 3-2), where the moratorium will remain in place for the foreseeable future. DFO will conduct detailed assessments of all applications through the lens of environmental sustainability, including appropriate siting, comprehensive licence conditions, public reporting, along with monitoring and compliance to ensure our management objectives are being met. DFO and the Province of BC will also be consulting with individual First Nations regarding applications in their asserted territory. The timing of the decision did not allow staff to convey this information at our last Aquaculture Management Advisory Committee meeting in October. The Department recognizes that we could have been more proactive with our communication following up from that meeting and will be looking to strengthen our communication on issues such as these going forward. Discussion: Mike Reid raised concern with information provided at the AMAC not being incorporated into management decision made at a Ministerial level. There was concern surrounding the efficacy of participating in a regional process when important decisions are not brought to that process. Concern was also noted with the aquaculture management approach outside of the Discovery Islands and the regulatory review process that will take place and Mr. Reid asked for confirmation that First Nations consultations will still take place on all aquaculture licence applications. DFO acknowledged that First Nations consultation will take place with all new applications and major amendments. Integrated Management of Aquaculture Plan (IMAP) Ms. Trager noted the Marine Finfish Integrated Management of Aquaculture Plan (IMAP) was finalized in December 2013, and a copy was sent out to the AMAC members in early January Thanks to committee for their input. There is no expiration date on the plan, but it will be updated as needed. Aquaculture Licence Fees DFO is moving forward with the establishment of licence fees for aquaculture in BC under the User Fee Act process. This process is being led by DFO staff in Ottawa. A discussion paper outlining the proposed approach was posted on the DFO website ( eng.htm ) for public comment in December for a period of 30 days. As a next step in the regulatory process, the fee proposal in both Houses of Parliament for review. Following committee review, the process for the required regulatory changes would begin, targeting a potential implementation date of December Discussion: 3

4 Katie Beach raised concern that this information was not raised at the October 2013 AMAC meeting. DFO noted that First Nations organizations received the user fee information directly by mail. Information was posted on the internet and DFO is willing to share that information with any AMAC member requesting it. Multi-Year Licences Since December 2010, DFO has issued aquaculture licences mostly on a one-year basis. The Department is considering a shift to multi-year licences for marine finfish, shellfish and freshwater/land-based aquaculture facilities. This process is still in the preliminary stages. DFO anticipates engaging First Nations and stakeholders regarding this potential change in the coming months. The current thinking is that a discussion paper would be developed outlining potential options with respect to a move toward multi-year licences (e.g. possible length of a licence term, key considerations, etc.). DFO would then seek feedback on the options and look to make a decision regarding the approach later in Review of Siting Criteria for Marine Finfish Aquaculture DFO is planning to review the current siting criteria for aquaculture in British Columbia (BC). These criteria were developed jointly with the Province of BC several years ago and in some cases do not reflect the most current science advice or the range of considerations DFO and the Province take into account when reviewing/assessing new aquaculture applications. This is consistent with one of the recommendations of the Cohen Commission with respect to aquaculture. DFO plans to engage and seek input from First Nations and stakeholders in this review. DFO is currently working on an engagement plan / approach and we anticipate this process will start in the coming weeks. The hope is to communicate with AMAC members throughout this process and seek the views of the Committee members (and their organizations). Aquaculture Public Reporting DFO is working to post more detailed fish health data on the website as soon as possible. AMAC members will be notified when fish health data is posted online. Discussion: Katie Beach raised concern about seeming discrepancies between industry reported sea lice information and data that is collected by DFO. Colleen Dane (aquaculture industry association representative) noted that fish health data needs to be accompanied by background and contextual material that would enable readers to be more informed and able to interpret the posted information. Update on AMAC Terms of Reference and Discussion Brenda M c Corquodale provided background on the AMAC Terms of Reference (TOR). 4

5 DFO has received formal and informal input on the AMAC TOR from a number of committee members and the information below serves to further address and provide clarification on a number of issues raised. A letter was recently written to the ENGO community which had provided specific feedback on the ToR. Generally, AMAC members advised DFO that their input was completed, and DFO could now make the final determination on the document. AMAC Participant Comments: Katie Beach asked if DFO could resend the Statement of Work for the AMAC meeting facilitator. First Nations AMAC members commented on the Environmental and Social Sustainability Guiding Principle and the potential conflict with perceived DFO focus on economic prosperity. During the course of the discussions, committee members suggested that this principle be rewritten to the following: o Participants will work to increase their individual and collective knowledge about the aquaculture industry and its possible impacts on the environment. o The committee members will provide input to the AMAC process which seeks to ensure sustainable aquatic ecosystems recognizing that the activity of aquaculture and the success of the industry economically is broadly beneficial to the people of Canada. First Nations AMAC members commented that there should be a guiding principle in the ToR that the primary decision making protocol is science and that science will directly inform aquaculture management decisions. Diana Trager commented that all the feedback on the TOR provided by the AMAC members at the meeting was good and DFO will look to update this section of the TOR based on that input and the review of other DFO advisory process TORs. AMAC members commented on the lack of participation by Province of BC staff and asked DFO if BC had provided any feedback as to why they would not be participating in this and future AMAC meetings. DFO noted that they had engaged the Province of BC on numerous occasions about their potential participation in the AMAC process. AMAC members indicated they would contact Province of BC staff directly to advise them of their concerns with lack of provincial participation in the AMAC process. Management Approach and Role of Science Process Overview and Discussion Jon Chamberlain presented a PowerPoint presentation entitled AMAC role in Science Related to Aquaculture Management. AMAC Participant Comments: 5

6 Mike Reid asked how DFO considers science advice in their aquaculture management approach, and whether they consider independent science advice or only DFO science advice. DFO (Jon Chamberlain) commented that, as a part of the Canadian Science Advisory Secretariat (CSAS) project, scientists review current literature and scientific data from all available sources. The collective review of data removes the potential for bias and the CSAS peer review process also removes the potential for bias. Aquaculture industry AMAC members asked about the CSAS process including timelines, review of literature and how the information is shared with the public. Jon Chamberlain noted all of the CSAS information is available online at There was discussion regarding scientific research provided to DFO that does not seem to be incorporated into the peer review process. DFO (Diana Trager) commented that DFO is currently looking to see where the AMAC table can be a part of the scientific research process. Perhaps the AMAC table could input into setting research priorities for the coming year. There could be discussions at this table regarding potential gaps in science research and how those areas can be strengthened. Mike Reid asked if Jon Chamberlain would be able to attend the next Tier 1 process meeting to provide information on the CSAS process and hear from First Nations where they feel there are gaps in scientific advice informing the aquaculture management approach in BC. Jon is happy to attend any meetings. Diana Trager responded that she thought it would be very beneficial for DFO staff (including Jon Chamberlain, Bernie Taekema and Kerra Shaw) to attend a Tier 1/Tier 2 process meeting to provide a dialogue between First Nations and DFO on marine finfish aquaculture. Aquaculture industry AMAC members asked DFO if they would be able to provide more information on CSAS including: o A listing of current aquaculture science research projects in progress o The purpose of those aquaculture science research projects o The timeframes for those aquaculture science research projects including times for public input into the process DFO (Diana Trager) responded that they would be able to provide the AMAC members this type of listing before the next Marine Finfish AMAC meeting. Initial opportunity for feedback from AMAC on marine finfish Conditions of Licence renewal in areas to consider Bernie Taekema presented a document which outlined the draft revisions to the marine finfish conditions of licence renewal for AMAC members looking to provide input into the draft revisions to the marine finfish conditions of licence would need to send that information to Bernie Taekema or Brenda M c Corquodale within the next 2 months in order for that input to be considered. 6

7 Bernie Taekema noted that some changes may take a longer time to implement due to the need for science input, policy support or other reasons. AMAC Participant Comments: Katie Beach raised a question to DFO regarding the removal of the benthic sampling requirement at the 30M station. DFO responded that monitoring at the 30 M and 125 M station is still a requirement, and provides an adequate assessment of the nature and scale of benthic/seabed effects. Mike Reid raised a question regarding the possibility of implementing a requirement for closed containment transfer of farmed fish to help mitigate potential disease transfer to wild fish. In addition Mr. Reid asked if the aquaculture industry is being proactive in not transporting wastewater from the hatchery to the marine environment, would DFO consider making this a condition of licence. DFO (Bernie Taekema) noted that he has recorded this information in his notes and will consider this input in the revisions to the conditions of licence. DFO (Jon Chamberlain) noted that there is currently a CSAS process to analyze the potential transfer of microbes (risk assessment with respect to transfer of microbes/pathogens/disease between wild and cultured fish in Pacific Region). There was some discussion with industry providing an overview of their practices and DFO noted that they will follow up with more information, and once the CSAS project is completed DFO will share this information with AMAC members. Katie Beach noted it may be useful to have a table of contents in the conditions of licence. Mike Reid noted that he was unaware of the industry practice to use lights to promote growth of fish and asked for more information on this. Clare Backman noted that there was quite a bit of research into the use of lights to promote growth in farmed fish. He volunteered to share an industry perspective at a future AMAC meeting. Next Meeting Brenda M c Corquodale noted that the next marine finfish AMAC meeting is scheduled to take place in the first week of October (potentially Oct. 8 th or Oct. 9 th ). DFO will contact AMAC members to confirm the date. Craig Darling asked if AMAC members had any agenda items that they would like to see on the next (or future) AMAC meeting agendas. AMAC members responded with the following: o First Nations AMAC members requested a Tier 2 meeting to discuss proposed changes to conditions of licence, siting criteria, environmental monitoring, science priorities, multi-year licences and the lifting of the moratorium o First Nations AMAC members requested a listing of key items/documents coming out between meetings that might not be addressed at the meeting(s). 7

8 Notes prepared by M Fitzgerald, / Edited by B McCorquodale (DFO) 8