Letter DFO re Aquaculture regulations

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Bowen  Denman  Hornby  Gabriola Galiano  Gambier  Lasqueti  Mayne  North Pender  Salt Spring  Saturna  South Pender  Thetis 
 
 
 
200 - 1627 Fort Street, Victoria BC  V8R 1H8 
Telephone  (250) 405-5151    Fax  (250) 405-5155 
Toll Free via Enquiry BC in Vancouver 604.660.2421.  Elsewhere in BC 1.800.663.7867 
Email  information@islandstrust.bc.ca 
Web  www.islandstrust.bc.ca 
 
December 9, 2019 
 
via e-mail: Min@dfo-mpo.gc.ca 
 
File Number: 400-20; 5020-30  
 
The Honourable Bernadette Jordan 
Minister of Fisheries and Oceans, and the Canadian Coast Guard 
House of Commons 
Ottawa, ON  K1A 0A6 
 
 
Dear Minister Jordan: 
 
Re:  Request for additional resources for enforcement of shellfish aquaculture regulations 
 
I am writing on behalf of the Islands Trust Council regarding long-standing concerns relating to shellfish aquaculture 
in Baynes Sound, British Columbia. We would like to request that Fisheries and Oceans Canada dedicate more 
resources to enforcement of aquaculture regulations with the aim of reducing the amount of aquaculture refuse in 
the marine environment. We would also like increased enforcement regarding the requirements to mark tenure 
boundaries clearly. This will help ensure that Denman Island beaches and near shore waters are safe for all users and 
wildlife. 
 
The Islands Trust, created through the provincial Islands Trust Act, is a federation of special-purpose local 
government bodies representing 26,000 people living within the Islands Trust Area and approximately 10,000 non-
resident property owners. The Islands Trust Area is located within Coast Salish territory and is home to over 28,000 
Coast Salish Peoples who have called this place home since time immemorial. The Islands Trust mandate is to 
preserve and protect the unique environment and amenities of the Islands Trust Area through planning and 
regulating land use, development management, education, cooperation with First Nations and other agencies, and 
land conservation. The area covers the islands and waters between the British Columbia mainland and southern 
Vancouver Island. It includes 13 major and more than 450 smaller islands covering 5,200 square kilometres. It is Trust 
Council’s policy that aquaculture is a valuable activity in the Trust Area if compatible with maintenance of ecosystems 
and community character. 
 
Islands Trust appreciates Department of Fisheries and Oceans Canada’s (DFO) participation in collaborative initiatives 
aimed at reducing aquaculture industry marine debris. We understand that for the past three years, DFO has funded 
clean-up efforts and removed approximately 45 tonnes of shellfish aquaculture debris and old broken gear from the 
Baynes Sound area. We also appreciate DFO’s efforts to provide funding to phase out Styrofoam floats via the 
Fisheries and Aquaculture Clean Technology Adoption Program.  
 
The 14
th
 annual Denman Island Community Beach Clean-up was held during the week of September 15-22, 2019. The 
clean

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