Results of DFO benthic audits of British Columbia marine finfish aquaculture sites

Fisheries and Oceans Canada requires operators of active marine finfish aquaculture sites in British Columbia to monitor for benthic (seabed) impacts. The benthic monitoring program is designed to limit the location, area, and intensity of impact created by fish farms to the seabed and to support sustainable aquaculture by maintaining healthy ecosystems.

In addition to the monitoring and reporting required of licence holders, DFO staff biologists conduct field audits to collect and assess sediment samples and take video of the seafloor. This information is used to determine compliance and learn more about benthic impacts during different times of the production cycle. Further review and action may be required for sites with poor environmental performance or issues with non-compliance.

For the results of benthic monitoring activities conducted by the industry, see Results of industry benthic monitoring of BC marine finfish aquaculture sites.

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Champ Valeur
Dernière modification avril 17, 2026, 20:56 (TU)
Créé le avril 17, 2026, 20:56 (TU)
contact_email DFO.PAC.AquacultureData-Donneesdaquaculture.PAC.MPO@dfo-mpo.gc.ca
contact_person {"en": "Government of Canada; Fisheries and Oceans Canada; Aquaculture, Communications,,DFO.PAC.AquacultureData-Donneesdaquaculture.PAC.MPO@dfo-mpo.gc.ca", "fr": "Gouvernement du Canada; Pêches et Océans Canada; Aquaculture, Communications,,DFO.PAC.AquacultureData-Donneesdaquaculture.PAC.MPO@dfo-mpo.gc.ca"}
criticality_level []
data_dictionary ["environment", "oceans"]
geographic_scope ["5"]
open_canada_collection primary
open_canada_date_modified 2026-02-18 00:00:00
open_canada_date_published 2023-03-22 00:00:00
open_canada_keywords {"en": ["Waste", "Fish farming", "Aquaculture", "Fisheries and Oceans Canada", "Pacific region", "organic waste", "benthic", "British Columbia", "BC"], "fr": ["Déchets", "Pisciculture", "Aquaculture", "Pêches et Océans Canada", "Région du Pacifique", "installations piscicoles", "déchets organiques", "benthiques", "Colombie-Britannique", "C.-B."]}
open_canada_subject ["nature_and_environment"]
sensitivity_level unrestricted
title_fr Résultats des vérifications de la surveillance des organismes benthiques effectuées par le MPO aux sites de pisciculture marine de la Colombie-Britannique
update_frequency as_needed