Aquatic plant culturing
Last updated on May 15, 2024Culturing aquatic plants may include growing or cultivating aquatic plants in a hatchery or marine grow out site.
Culturing aquatic plants on private and Crown land is regulated by the Province of British Columbia under Part 2 of the Fish and Seafood Licensing Regulation. Culture that occurs on Crown land or in the marine environment (Crown land covered by water) also requires a Land Act tenure.
Licensed aquatic plant culturers must follow the reporting requirements according to Section 6 of the Fish and Seafood Licensing Regulation as well as the additional requirements specified in their licensing agreement.
How to apply for a new aquatic plant culture licence
Applications for an aquatic plant culture licence can be submitted to any FrontCounter BC office location.
Applicants for a new aquatic plant culture licence must include a $50 application fee and complete a Pacific aquatic plant or co-culture new application (PDF, 1MB) with a debris management plan. Consult the Guide to debris management plans (PDF, 162KB) for more information.
How to apply for an aquatic plant tenure amendment or to co-culture aquatic plants
Applicants that want to add aquatic plants to an existing shellfish facility or change their infrastructure on an active tenure should complete a Pacific aquatic plant or co-culture amendment application (PDF, 1MB). Applicants may be required to submit a new debris management plan as part of their application.
If the changes to infrastructure are minor and there is no change to the species being cultured, the amendment may fall under incidental aquaculture under the Land-use operational policy (PDF, 1MB).
Application review process
Aquatic plant culture applications are reviewed to be sure aquatic plants entering the food chain are safe for people to eat and that aquatic plant culture does not negatively affect the marine environment. Applications for an aquatic plant culture licence are reviewed by the federal and provincial project review team (PRT) before they are reviewed by the individual agencies.