Thetis Island Local Trust Committee responds to Aquaculture Licence in the Thetis Island Local Trust Area
Thursday, May 1, 2025 at 7:50AM The Thetis Island Local Trust Committee (LTC) is taking steps to address a recently approved provincial shellfish aquaculture tenure located near Preedy Harbour in the Thetis Island Local Trust Area.
The Province of British Columbia has issued a Licence of Occupation to Abrupt Shellfish Inc. for an 18.8-hectare subtidal aquaculture site.
While the project has been approved at the provincial level, industrial shellfish aquaculture is not a permitted use under the Thetis Island LTC’s Land Use Bylaws or Official Community Plans.
Thetis Island LTC Response
In response to the provincial decision, the Thetis Island LTC has taken the following actions:
• Directed planning staff to notify Abrupt Shellfish Inc. that a rezoning is still required under local land use bylaws.
• Initiated bylaw enforcement action regarding non-permitted uses in the marine area.
• Requested that the Islands Trust Executive Committee raise this issue with the Ministry of Housing and Municipal Affairs.
On April 23, 2025 the Executive Committee asked staff to report back with options for advocacy. The Executive Committee will keep the Thetis Island LTC apprised about selected next steps.
The LTC’s approach is grounded in its Official Community Plan, and the Thetis Associated Islands Official Community Plan, as well as the Islands Trust’s unique provincial mandate to preserve and protect the Trust Area and its unique amenities and environment.
Please visit the Thetis Island LTA webpage for updates: https://islandstrust.bc.ca/location/thetis
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