New Mariculture Policy

In 2012 a Finfish Aquaculture Policy was developed by the shíshálh Nation to inform proponents about expectations for finfish aquaculture operations within the shíshálh swiya. Since this policy was developed, new closed-containment aquaculture technologies have been developed that significantly reduce the environmental risks that are often associated with open net-pen aquaculture operations. There has also been an increase in shellfish aquaculture applications for sites within the swiya. In response to these developments, Rights & Title staff has refined the original Finfish Aquaculture Policy to create a Mariculture Policy that provides guidance around closed-containment aquaculture and shellfish aquaculture applications. We believe that this new Mariculture Policy will help provide protection for important resources within the shishalh swiya, while allowing for economic opportunities in the aquaculture industry.