Wild aquatic plant harvesting

The Province has the responsibility for the wild harvest of marine aquatic plants under Part 3 of the Fish and Seafood Licensing Regulations. Wild aquatic plants are shared resources, and harvesting is regulated to balance environmental, cultural, and economic values.

There are different requirements to harvest aquatic plants for domestic personal use, educational or scientific purposes, and commercial harvesting.

Domestic harvesting for personal use

Domestic harvesting of less than 100 kg wet weight of aquatic plants for personal use does not require a wild aquatic plant licence. However, all harvesting must be done according to Section 13 of the Fish and Seafood Licensing Regulations. Live plants must be cut above the holdfast using a sharp cutting instrument and harvesting must not harm the regrowth of the plant. Harvesting must be done by hand (no raking, dredging, or diving) without disturbing or exposing the substrate.

Harvesting for scientific purposes

A licensing officer may waive the requirement for a wild aquatic plant harvester licence for educational or scientific research purposes.

If you are planning to harvest for scientific purposes, please submit a short proposal (to AquaticPlants.Courtenay@gov.bc.ca) that includes details of your intended collection, including:

• species to be harvested,
• time and location of harvest,
• expected harvest amount (biomass),
• collection methods, and
• general educational or scientific research purpose/objectives.

Please note, that harvesting for educational or scientific research purposes must be done according to Section 13 of the Fish and Seafood Licensing Regulations. Harvesting by diving requires additional approval from a licensing officer.

Commercial harvesting

A wild aquatic plant harvester licence is required to commercially harvest wild aquatic plants that may be distributed to the public for human consumption, or if harvest volumes exceed 100 kg wet weight. The licence document specifies the species, quota, harvest duration, and area of harvest.

Learn more about the commercial harvesting of wild aquatic plants.