1. Scope

1.1

This Special Publication reviews the current regulatory regime for Canadian aquaculture and describes the principal features and benefits, both general and sector-specific, of an ISO 14001 environmental management system (EMS).

The principles behind the regulatory framework and the overview of environmental regulations are presented to illustrate the need for effective environmental management, and to indicate the first steps that aquaculturists can take to develop a successful EMS. An EMS that conforms to the requirements of ISO 14001 can help an aquaculture organization better manage the complex legal and regulatory requirements. An effective EMS can also help improve the processes that ensure environmental protection, as well as providing evidence of due diligence.