C-258An Act to amend the Fisheries Act (closed containment aquaculture)

What it does

• Defines a "closed containment facility" as a solid wall structure, onshore or offshore, that keeps fish, parasites, waste and other pollutants from escaping into surrounding marine systems.
• Allows commercial finfish aquaculture licences off the Pacific Coast only if the fish are raised in a closed containment facility.
• Bans finfish aquaculture in Canadian fisheries waters off the Pacific Coast unless it is done under that type of licence.
• Phases in the ban for current licence holders, their existing licences can continue until they expire or until the fourth anniversary of the new rule, whichever comes first.
• Requires the Minister of Fisheries and Oceans, within 12 months, to table and implement a transition plan with support for affected corporations and workers, including training and income support through employment insurance.