Canada Introduces Regulations to Address Aquatic Invasive Species

 

The entry into force of new regulations to strengthen the prevention of aquatic invasive species (AIS) in Canadian waters was announced today by Canada’s Minister of Fisheries and Oceans, Gail Shea.

 

The Government of Canada, which spends more than $14 million on AIS issues annually, worked with provincial and territorial governments to develop the Aquatic Invasive Species Regulations. The regulations provide tools for both the Department and provinces to prevent the introduction and spread of AIS, while aiming to improve the ability to respond rapidly to an invasion or manage the spread of established AIS in Canadian waters.

 

“The new regulations demonstrate this government’s commitment to the fight against aquatic invasive species in Canada,” Shea said. “We are proud of this accomplishment, in time for the summer season, and will continue to work together with the provinces and territories to prevent the introduction and spread of these species. This in turn will help protect commercial and recreational fishing industries in Canada.”

 

Prior to the coming into force of these new regulations, there was a patchwork of inconsistent regulations and policies to address risks posed by AIS at various levels of government across Canada. There was no comprehensive, national AIS regulatory framework, which resulted in inconsistency across the country.

 

These new regulations prohibit the import, possession, transport and release of significant risk species, in specific geographic areas and under specific conditions. In the future, other species can be added or removed through regulatory amendments when necessary. The prohibition on importation would be enforced by the Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA). Asian carp, Quagga mussels and Zebra mussels are some examples of species targeted by the new regulations.

 

These new measures also allow prescribed Ministers to authorize the deposit of deleterious substances to control AIS under certain conditions including the need to take into account alternative measures and possible impacts of the deposit. The regulations only allow the deposit of drugs and pest control products in compliance with the legislation of Health Canada and the Pest Management Regulatory Agency.

 

Fisheries and Oceans Canada undertook consultations with Canadians on the proposed regulatory framework for AIS and a draft of the regulations was published in the Canada Gazette, Part I for public input. Input that was received from Canadian citizens was considered and aided in the development of the new regulations.