This map will allow you to identify BC shellfish harvesting closures in your area. Closure data displayed on this map is updated by Fisheries and Oceans Canada and Environment Canada daily.
Quick tips:
Closed to all (or some) bivalve shellfish harvesting.
Sanitary closure to bivalve shellfish harvesting. This category of closure includes seasonal closures. If the subarea in which a sanitary closure exists does not contain any marine biotoxin closures, the area bounded by the sanitary closure is still closed to all bivalve shellfish harvesting for sanitary contamination.
Chemical closure to bivalve shellfish harvesting.
Permanent bivalve harvesting closures are in place for Canadian fisheries waters of the Pacific Ocean within:
Current Land Act tenures issued for shellfish aquaculture. Click to find the name of the site and the crown landfile number. Search Aquaculture site number by clicking on the magnifying glass, and entering the landfile number or name in the search box.
Administrative boundaries of Canada Lands which includes Indian Reserves within BC. Click to identify the name.
Provincial and National Parks in BC. Click to identify the name of the park.
Sea Surface Temperature (SST) for the last two weeks is recorded at this location and displayed in a chart. Click to view this chart.
Wastewater system outfalls under the Government of Canada Wastewater Systems Effluent Regulations (WSER). Only outfalls within 20 km of BC coastal waters are mapped. Click icon for more information.
Active effluent discharge authorizations under the BC Ministry of Environment Authorizations Management System (AMS). Only locations within 20km of BC coastal waters are mapped. Click icon for more information.
Stations which allow boaters to remove sewage from their holds. Click icon for station details.
Water tests are taken to ensure safety in shellfish harvesting areas. Click to view fecal coliform values shown as counts per 100mL (derived from Most Probable Number tests).
Map tools are found along the perimeter of the map.
When the mouse cursor looks like a pointing hand, you are able to get more information about the area in a couple ways:
By hovering your mouse in desktop view, you can identify the subarea you are hovering over. Look in the bottom left corner of the map to see the subarea name change as you move around the map.
To identify a feature, you can click/touch the area you are interested in. A popup will appear with information about that feature. For example if the feature is a closure, the popup information will include the closure name, reason, closure species and a link to closure notices.
If you know the name of the place located near a harvesting subarea of interest, begin typing the place name in this search box. As you type, a list of possible matched locations will appear below. When you see the location you are looking for in the list, either click the list item or press your down arrow key until the place name is highlighted then press enter. The map view will then zoom to the location you select.
To search for a specific subarea, use the same search box and type "Subarea x-x" or "x-x". Look for the subarea in the list of suggestions. Click the list item that you would like to find, and the map will zoom to the subarea you select.
To search for a specific Aquaculture lease, use the same search box and type either the Crown Land File number or the Tenure Location name. Look for the Aquaculture lease in the list of suggestions. Click the item that you would like to find, and the map will zoom to the Landfile you select.
There are multiple ways you can zoom in on the map:
If your mouse has a scroll wheel, then moving the wheel forwards and backwards is the most efficient way to zoom. This is not applicable when using a mobile device.
At the top left of the map view, the zoom buttons can be used to zoom the map in (+) and out (-).
When hovering over the map, and the cursor changes to a pointing hand, you can click your mouse (or touch your screen) to identify and zoom into a subarea.
On mobile devices and tablets you can pinch with two fingers to adjust the zoom. Use two fingers to zoom in (spread fingers apart) and zoom out (pinch fingers together).
Click and hold the left mouse button to grab onto the map and then move the mouse to pan in any direction. When the mouse pointer looks like a closed hand, you are able to move the map view.
On mobile devices, touch and drag to move the map view.
The Biotoxin and Sanitary Contamination Closures Map for Shellfish Harvesting in British Columbia (the "Map") is a tool for public health officials and members of the public to view shellfish harvesting area data in spatial format. The Map presents information from Fisheries and Oceans Canada, and Fisheries and Oceans Canada is the authoritative source for biotoxin and sanitary contamination information. The British Columbia Centre for Disease Control (BCCDC) has created this Map to present information from Fisheries and Oceans Canada in a more user friendly manner.
By accessing and using this Map, you agree to be bound by the terms of use, disclaimer and limitation of liability (“terms of use”) set out below. If you do not agree to be bound by any of these terms of use, immediately exit this website and do not access any other pages.
Any information contained in the Map is believed to be reliable when posted; however, BCCDC does not guarantee or warranty the accuracy, completeness, appropriateness or suitability of the information provided. Any reliance on any information appearing on the Map is at your own risk. BCCDC expressly disclaims all warranties, representations and conditions regarding use of any information contained in the Map. BCCDC assumes no obligation to update the information or advise on further developments concerning subject matters mentioned. The information is supplied “as is” and may contain errors. This information may be changed from time to time without notice. Certain portions of the information have been contributed by other parties and should not be assumed to have been reviewed or endorsed by BCCDC.
Neither the BCCDC nor the Provincial Health Services Authority shall have any liability whether direct, indirect, consequential, contingent, special or incidental related to or arising out of or in connection with the use of the Map or your reliance on the information contained herein.
Concerned you have shellfish poisoning?
Call poison control at 1-800-567-8911
To report any technical issues with this mapping application, contact BCCDC.
For technical advise about data sources used in this map, or further information contact Environmental Health Services, BCCDC
For more information about Shellfish Closures, please contact:
DFO.PACCSSP-PCAMPAC.MPO@dfo-mpo.gc.ca
Erin Milligan
Resource Management
Canadian Shellfish Sanitation Program (CSSP) Coordinator
DFO South Coast Division
3225 Stephenson Point Rd.
Nanaimo, BC V9T 1K3
Shellfish Toxin Updates
Toll free: 1-866-431-FISH (1-866-431-3474)
Recorded information
or visit your local DFO office.
For questions about outfalls contact BC Environmental Compliance; report Polluters at 1-877-952-7277 or #7277 (Telus mobility)
For questions about marine sewage regulations contact Transport Canada
For questions about water quality testing and the shellfish water classification program contact Environment Canada
Habitat: Inshore, found on rocks, gravel and other substrates
Size: : Blue up to 9 cm and California up to 25 cm
Description: Bluish-black oblong shells, anchored to substrates with brown byssal threads
Habitat: Intertidal zone, found in protected gravel, sandy beaches
Size: Up to 13 cm
Description: Oval to round, white coloured. Concentric rings on shell
Habitat: Intertidal zone, shallowly buried fine sand-gravel beds
Size: Up to 14 cm
Description: Also known as Nuttall’s, basket or heart cockles. Yellow-brown thick shells with strong radiating wavy ribs
Habitat: Deep intertidal zone, found in mud and sand at depth of 60 to 100 cm
Size: Shell size up to 25 cm
Description: Oblong gaping shell, rounded on one end, white colour with extended siphon
Habitat: Intertidal zone, found deep, 30 to 40 cm in mud, gravel, and sand
Size: Up to 20 cm
Description: Oval white coloured with brown and black patches worn off shell. Concentric rings on shell
Habitat: Intertidal zone, found in gravel, mud, sand at depth of 5 to 15 cm
Size: Up to 9 cm
Description: Oval to round, variable colouration. Concentric rings on shell with radiating ridges
Habitat: Intertidal zone, found in protected gravel, sandy beaches
Habitat: Intertidal zone, found in sandy beaches at depth of 15 cm
Size: Up to 15 cm
Description: Oblong shaped with brittle brown to olive coloured shell and extended siphon. Concentric rings on shell
Habitat: Low intertidal zone, found at depth (recreational divers)
Size: Up to 12.5 cm
Description: Radiating ribs from the hinge, with thin flattened shells, colour white to pink
Habitat: Intertidal zone, found in protected gravel, sandy beaches
Size: Up to 7.5 cm
Description: Oval and flat, shiny brown and white coloured with purple interior shell colour. Concentric rings on shell
Habitat: Deep water in gravel, sandy beaches (recreational divers)
Size: Up to 20 cm
Description: Radiating ribs from the hinge, one side flat, the other bulging, colour brown to light orange/red
Select one of the below Pacific shellfish species to find if there are any areas of BC where there is not currently a biotoxin closure for the selected shellfish species. Make sure to check for Sanitary closures and Prohibited areas as well to determine shellfish harvesting areas.
The search function can be accessed by clicking the magnifying glass button in the top left corner of the map. This will open a search box in which you can search for multiple different types of features:
