In June 2024, the Government of Canada announced that it would ban open net-pen salmon aquaculture in British Columbia coastal waters by June 30, 2029. The stated purpose was to better protect wild Pacific salmon and to promote more sustainable aquaculture practices. As a result, those holding licenses to operate open net-pen salmon aquaculture facilities in the region will be required to fully terminate these operations by that date and will be expected to make restocking and harvesting decisions consistent with this requirement.

Current open net-pen salmon aquaculture licenses in British Columbia expired on June 30, 2024. For current license holders seeking a license renewal, the Minister of Fisheries, Oceans and the Canadian Coast Guard indicated that it intends to issue five-year licensees effective July 1, 2024. These new licenses will come with stricter conditions of license to strengthen the protection of wild species and the marine environment.

After July 1, 2024, only marine or land-based closed containment systems will be considered for salmon aquaculture licenses. The Government of Canada recognized that such systems are likely to come with increased investment costs. As such, the Minister intends to issue nine-year licenses to successful applicants applying for closed-containment production.

The Government of Canada also announced that it intended to work together with the Province of British Columbia, affected First Nations, coastal communities, and others impacted on the West Coast through the transition away from open net-pen salmon aquaculture to closed containment systems and other forms of aquaculture. Although a draft transition plan was originally to be completed by July 24, the draft plan was released September 23, 2024.

To make the transition of salmon farming a success, the draft outlines the way forward in four key areas: support for First Nations, workers, and communities; financial support for the adoption of innovative and clean aquaculture technologies; establishment of milestones and criteria for the phase-out of salmon open net-pen aquaculture; and management of open net-pen salmon farming until full implementation of the ban.

While outlining now the broad themes that will support the transition, the Government announced that it will invite feedback and collaboration from affected parties in the development of the final draft of the Salmon Aquaculture Transition Plan to be published in 2025. Public consultation will take place both before and after publication.