And because scientists don't have to disclose what they create in their labs, it says, it's not known what sort of so-called `Frankenfish' might someday swim Canada's water systems.

"The result of these weaknesses is that the extent of research under way in Canada and any accidental release of (genetically engineered) fish may not be fully known," the audit says.

The Canadian Environment Protection Act of 1999 currently regulates biotechnology, but the audit says separate rules for genetically modified fish could close some of the gaps it found.