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2003 Legislative Session: 4th Session, 37th Parliament

FIRST READING

The following electronic version is for informational

purposes only.

The printed version remains the official version.

Ms. JOY MacPHAIL

BILL M 201 – 2003

FISHERIES ACT AMENDMENT ACT, 2003

Preamble

WHEREAS the wild salmon stocks are an integral part of British Columbia's heritage and are vital to the health of our ecosystems, coastal communities and first nations;

WHEREAS there is significant scientific evidence that there are significant impacts of open-net pen aquaculture on the wild salmon stocks and environment of British Columbia;

WHEREAS the government has the responsibility to act in accordance with decisions of the courts as they relate to the rights of aboriginal peoples and the allocation of land and resources;

THEREFORE HER MAJESTY, by and with the advice and consent of the Legislative Assembly of the Province of British Columbia, enacts as follows:

Section 12, Fisheries Act [RSBC 1996]

Chapter 149, is amended by adding the following:

" closed containment " refers to an impermeable or solid wall structure which is established for the rearing of finfish either on land or floating and which prevents escape of those fish or the transfer of bacteria, viruses, parasites, waste and other pollution into the surrounding marine systems;

" finfish " means fish of the classes Agnatha, Chondrichthyes or Osteichthyes.

Section 13 is amended to read as follows:

(5) A person must not carry on the business of aquaculture at any location or facility in British Columbia or its coastal waters unless the person holds a licence issued for that purpose under this Part and has paid the fee prescribed by the Lieutenant Governor in Council.

(5.1) Any new licence shall not be issued under this part for the purpose of finfish aquaculture unless that operation is a closed containment facility.

Commencement

3 This Act comes into force by regulation of the Lieutenant Governor in Council.

Copyright (c) 2003: Queen's Printer, Victoria, British Columbia, Canada