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Part of Fish culture licences

Aquaculture - Commercial fish culture licence

Apply for a commercial fish culture licence.

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Fish culture licences

Read the process information and complete the form below.

Application process

All commercial fish culturists are required to possess a current licence to hold or sell cultured fish. Commercial licences are $500, licence expires March 31 in the fifth year following the year of its issue. You must possess a current licence for fish to be held or harvested for a fee, or sold to the public.

The species that are allowed to be cultured are listed below. Of note, only Category 1 species can be obtained by recreational licence holders.

Use the form below to start the application process.

Category 1 – species for live sale to recreational licensees

  • Tilapia (contained waters only)
  • Rainbow Trout
  • Brook Trout
  • Brown Trout
  • Tiger Trout

Category 2 – species for sale to food and retail market

  • Tilapia
  • Rainbow Trout
  • Brook Trout
  • Brown Trout
  • Tiger Trout
  • Coho Salmon
  • Arctic Char
  • Freshwater Prawn
  • Pacific White Shrimp
  • Goldfish
  • Koi
  • American Eel
  • Bigmouth Buffalo Fish
  • Barramundi

Conditions

Conditions of commercial licences are determined by the species being raised and the intent of sale.

  • Be advised that using water for the commercial culture of fish may require a licence under the Water Act. It is the responsibility of the applicant to ensure any required biological, engineering, land and water use permits have been obtained. Failure to do so may result in the revoking of your licence.
  • Applications under the Water Act can be submitted electronically through the Digital Regulatory Assurance System (DRAS).
  • Commercial fish culture facilities require inspection before licensing takes place.
  • Testing of fish for Whirling disease and other pathogens is stipulated and upon request the licensee must make available to Fisheries Management up to 175 fish from each facility water source for disease testing. Species, location and number of fish to be determined by the Provincial Fish Disease Lab. Timing of sample collection to be collaboratively determined between the licensee and the Provincial Fish Disease Lab. Failure to provide fish for disease testing may result in a licence being revoked.
  • Commercial licences cannot be transferred. After any sale of a facility or operation or the change in address of the facility, a new licence must be applied for.

Learn more about the fish culture licence.

Form

Will this be a U-fish operation, where a fee is charged to catch a live fish. Fish must be dead before they leave the facility.

Pond location

To find accurate GPS coordinates on Google maps, locate your facility/pond and right click if you are using a computer. Click on the coordinates to copy, and paste them into the box below. 

If you are using a cell phone, drop a pin in the middle of your facility/waterbody, and open the pin to see the latitude and longitude. 

Here's an example of what your GPS location should look like: 

53.021483295610494, -114.05375773667008 

Latitude, Longitude

Please include at least 7 numbers after the decimal to improve accuracy. Please ensure that the location information is accurate and represents the premises you wish to stock with fish. Incorrect information may result in licences being delayed or denied.

Fish Culture Facility Information

What type of facility are you planning to use to rear fish?
What is the source of water?
One file only.
400 MB limit.
Allowed types: jpg, png, pdf.
One file only.
400 MB limit.
Allowed types: jpg, png, pdf.
One file only.
400 MB limit.
Allowed types: jpg, png, pdf.
One file only.
400 MB limit.
Allowed types: jpg, png, pdf.
One file only.
400 MB limit.
Allowed types: jpg, png, pdf.
One file only.
400 MB limit.
Allowed types: jpg, png, pdf.
One file only.
400 MB limit.
Allowed types: jpg, png, pdf.

Licence information

I am applying to sell fish
Which species are you applying to rear
Which species are you applying to rear

Inspection agreement

An on-site inspection is required prior to issuing a licence. You will be contacted by the Alberta Forestry and Parks, Aquaculture Program, to arrange a suitable time for inspection. Application for a licence and subsequent inspection does not guarantee a licence will be issued; issuance will depend on the results of the inspection and the review of the included documents for your facility.

You will be contacted once this application has been submitted for additional detailed information on your facility which will include detailed design drawings, a fish health management and biosecurity plan and any follow up information that aids in the understanding of the facility. I understand that additional information will be requested on my facility, and I will need to provide this information to obtain a licence and that an application does not mean a licence will be issued.

By checking this box, I agree to have Government of Alberta employees enter my property and inspect my facility, upon an arranged time and date. I will arrange to be present for the inspection, or designate a person knowledgeable about my facility and its operations, to be present to provide access and answer any questions. Permission must be provided to proceed with submission of your application.

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