Division resources

Ministry of Environment

Fish Products Industry Waste Discharge Standards Review

Background Information

Under the Environmental Management Act and the Waste Discharge Regulation, the Ministry of Environment (MOE), authorizes waste discharges.  The Ministry is continuing its commitment to review existing waste discharge standards and is undertaking a Fish Products Industry Waste Discharge Standards Review.

The Fish Products Industry, is defined in Schedule 2 of the Waste Discharge Regulation as, “…establishments, except home-based businesses, educational facilities and establishments of hobbyists or artisans, engaged in processing, including but not limited to eviscerating, skinning, filleting, breading, precooking or blanching fish, molluscs, crustaceans, or other marine animals, and includes establishments engaged in processing fish oil or fish roe”.

The MOE’s current permit provisions for the fish products industry originated from Environment Canada’s Fish Processing Operations Liquid Effluent Guidelines (1975) and MOE’s Pollution Control Objectives (1975). These standards have not been reviewed or updated recently; therefore, it is considered a priority to review and assess the need to update them to reflect current waste management practices and technological advancements.

As part of this review, development of an industry-wide code of practice will be considered. A code of practice, which is a Minster’s regulation with the full force of law, is intended to provide certainty to users, streamline the Ministry’s authorization process, and have a results-based focus, where possible.

Steps in the Review Process

The process for developing a code of practice consists of five phases:

  • Scoping Phase — includes problem definition, a review of regulatory approaches in other jurisdictions, current best management practices, ad­vances in science, law and the management of wastes. 
  • Development of the Policy Intentions Paper for Consultation — development of a policy intentions paper outlining the Ministry’s policy intent for the standards review, proposed content of the review, and any outstanding issues.  The paper forms the basis of consultation with affected stakeholders and the general public.
  • Consultation Phase — with affected stakeholders and the general public, using the policy intentions paper and response forms posted on the ministry website, and other means, as required.
  • Drafting Phase — preparation of legal language for consideration by the Minister and/or Lieutenant Governor in Council.
  • Implementation Phase — once the standards are approved and in force, training of ministry staff and external stakeholders, development of guidelines and/or best management practices.

How to Participate

We are currently in the scoping phase of the review process. To assist us in determining priority areas that should be considered, we would like to know your issues of concern.   We are also developing a key stakeholders list. If you would like to be kept informed of consultation opportunities, be updated on the review, or indicate issues of concern, please provide your contact information and your comments on the attached form.

 Participation Form

For background information on how the Ministry of Environment authorizes waste discharges to the environment, please visit the Environmental Management Act (EMA) website: http://www.env.gov.bc.ca/epd/main/ema.htm.

For more information on the development of Codes of Practice and the Regulatory Review process, please visit the EMA Codes of Practice and Regulatory Review website: http://www.env.gov.bc.ca/epd/codes/index.htm.