Aquatic plant culturing

Culturing aquatic plants on private and Crown land is regulated by the Province under Part 2 of the Fish and Seafood Licensing Regulations. 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 Regulations 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 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 deemed to be 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 ensure aquatic plants entering the food chain are safe for human consumption and aquatic plant culture does not negatively impact 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.

• Learn more about the harmonized process for aquaculture tenure application review.