The Department of Fisheries and Oceans has begun enforcing new Aquatic Invasive Species Regulations (AISR).
As part of The Fisheries Act, The Aquatic Invasive Regulations provide a comprehensive set of provisions and authorities to manage the threat of aquatic invasive species through a flexible risk-tiered approach. The Regulations establish prohibitions against the importation, possession, transportation, and/or release of the 89 aquatic invasive species listed in the Canada Gazette Part 2 of the Schedule. The Department of Fisheries and Oceans (DFO), in partnership with the provinces and territories, will be responsible for administration and enforcement.
The Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) will assist by enforcing the import prohibitions listed in Column 4 of Part 2 of the Schedule to the Regulations. Asian carp, Quagga mussels and Zebra mussels are some examples of species targeted by the new regulations. The prohibitions described apply to members of the species as well as to any genetic material capable of propagating them, such as larvae, eggs, sperm, spat or other cells or tissues.
The importation into Canada of live Asian carps and mussels of the species listed, for any use (e.g., food, aquarium, aquaculture, and bait) is prohibited. Note: Asian carp of these species can be imported as long as they are dead and eviscerated; however, the importer must ensure that CFIA requirements are met.
Importers are advised to report the scientific name or the TSN number of all imported aquatic species.
Full text of the Aquatic Invasive species Regulation is available here.
Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) issued customs notice CN15-022 and provides further detailed information on commercial importations, travelers and recreational boaters.