Government of Canada announces 2029 transition from open-net pen salmon farms in B.C.
The Government of Canada announced that open-net pen salmon aquaculture will be banned in British Columbia coastal waters by June 30, 2029, marking a major federal commitment to protect wild Pacific salmon and support a shift toward more sustainable aquaculture.
The announcement confirmed that existing salmon aquaculture licences would be renewed for five years during the transition period, with stricter conditions on sea lice management, industry reporting, and monitoring of marine mammal interactions. After July 1, 2024, only marine or land-based closed-containment systems will be considered for salmon aquaculture licences in coastal B.C.
The federal government said the transition plan will focus on supporting First Nations, workers, and coastal communities while encouraging investment in cleaner aquaculture technology. The announcement reinforces the importance of moving away from open-net pens and toward systems that better protect wild salmon and the marine environment.