Seafood e-Bulletin August 2026 | The source of program information, engagement opportunities, important updates, and upcoming events for seafood producers and processors in British Columbia Feature of the Month: - Video: Business Planning for Shellfish Farmers in BC – Building a Strong Foundation
- The 2027 Seafood Expo Global/Seafood Processing Global Call for Proposals is Now Open
Programs and Resources: New This Month: - Access CFIA Business Enablement Support
Available Funding: - Regional Tariff Response Initiative in British Columbia – PacifiCan
- Processor Productivity Program
Available Services: - Become a Buy BC member
- B.C. Indigenous Pathfinder Service
- AgPal Fish and Seafood Program and Service Finder
Don't Forget: - Notice to Industry: Handling, processing, or transporting of live oysters
| Video: Business Planning for Shellfish Farmers in BC – Building a Strong Foundation | The Ministry of Agriculture and Food has produced a five-part series to support shellfish farmers and businesses with business development and succession planning. This video walks through key tools and resources to help shellfish farmers build, assess, and strengthen their business operations. Strong business planning is essential for building a resilient and profitable shellfish operation. This video introduces the Business Readiness Checklist and other practical tools designed to help farmers assess their current operations and identify areas for improvement. It highlights key components of a well-run farm, including clear business structure, regulatory compliance, financial management, production planning, sales strategy, and risk management. These elements work together to support both day-to-day operations and long-term growth. Find the rest of the series here. Each video in the series with be featured in upcoming editions of this newsletter. | The 2027 Seafood Expo Global/Seafood Processing Global Call for Proposals is Now Open | #SEG27 may still be months away, but the team is already reviewing topics for the upcoming Conference Program at The Global Seafood Marketplace.The Conference team is seeking content that addresses today’s most pressing and relevant issues affecting the world of seafood. If you are an industry expert, Seafood Expo Global wants to hear from you! Submitting a proposal to speak at the 2027 event is as easy as 1-2-3-4: - Review the guidelines.
- Pick your topic.
- Create your speaker portal login.
- Submit your idea!
| Access CFIA Business Enablement Support | If you are interested in trading food in Canada, the CFIA business enablement team can: - Walk you through the CFIA’s Safe Food for Canadians licence application process and the process for setup of CFIA accounts (MyCFIA, accounts payable, etc.)
- Work directly with you as you complete your preventive control plan.
- Be your point of contact for any questions related to federal licensing and interprovincial trade.
Contact us: CFIA.internaltrade-commerceinterieur.ACIA@inspection.gc.ca Learn more | Regional Tariff Response Initiative in British Columbia - PacifiCan | The Government of Canada recently announced an additional investment of $500 million nationally through the Regional Tariff Response Initiative (RTRI) to support Canadian businesses affected by trade disruptions. This funding will help businesses improve productivity, diversify markets, and strengthen supply chains and trade resilience. Who Can Apply: You can apply for the Regional Tariff Response Initiative (RTRI) if your organization is one of the following: An incorporated for-profit business that: - is incorporated;
- is staffed in British Columbia;
- employs between 10 and 499 full-time employees;
- has been in continuous and viable operation for at least three years leading up to March 21,2025; AND
- has at least two complete years of externally prepared/reviewed financial statements
A not-for-profit organization that supports small- and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) You, or the businesses you support, must: - have been viable prior to the tariffs imposed by the U.S. and China, prior to March 21, 2025; AND
- at least 25% of your sales are to the U.S. and/or China; OR
- have been affected or have a high likelihood of being affected by ongoing trade disruptions, including new U.S. and China tariffs or Canadian countermeasures
Learn more | Processor Productivity Program | This support is available only in the first intake, which opened March 25, 2026, and will remain open until the seafood stream has been fully subscribed. The B.C. Government has launched the Processor Productivity Program (PPP) to help food and beverage processors improve efficiency, reduce costs, and stay competitive. The program is offered in two phases and combines practical support with cost‑shared funding: - Phase 1 – Lean training and on‑site operational assessment:
Participating businesses receive industry‑focused Lean training, hands‑on assessments, and expert guidance to identify inefficiencies, reduce waste, and improve workflow. - Phase 2 – Cost‑shared funding:
Eligible participants can access cost‑shared funding to implement approved productivity improvements identified through the assessment phase. The program is delivered by Canadian Manufacturers & Exporters (CME) on behalf of the Ministry of Agriculture and Food. Funding is provided by the governments of Canada and British Columbia through the Sustainable Canadian Agricultural Partnership, a federal-provincial-territorial initiative. Seafood businesses are solely funded by the Government of British Columbia. Learn more and apply | Calling all producers, processors, retailers, farmers’ markets, and industry associations. Apply to get the Buy BC logo and add it to your packaging and marketing materials—for free. Reasons to join Buy BC: - Build customer awareness
- Increase exposure
- Expand market share and sales
Learn more | B.C. Indigenous Pathfinder Service | The B.C. Indigenous Pathfinder Service is a single source for support and referral to help navigate the relevant information, tools and funding available to start or expand activities in Indigenous food systems, food sovereignty, food security and the agriculture and food sector.
Staff provide provincial wayfinding services and program referrals as required to connect people to current supports and other available opportunities including: - Support for navigating existing programs, services and funding opportunities
- Support navigating government’s organizational structure
- Coaching through project development and planning
- Connections to sector organizations, potential industry partners, and other collaborators
To access this free service, email IndigenousFoodSystems@gov.bc.ca or call 236-426-5024 and a staff member will be in contact with you as soon as possible.
| AgPal Fish and Seafood Program and Service Finder | AgPal helps farmers and agri-businesses find relevant resources by gathering agricultural information and presenting it all in one place. Search and navigation tools make it quick and easy to find exactly what you are looking for. Find programs, services, market intelligence, research, and more! Click the button below for more information. Learn more | Notice to Industry – Handling, Processing, or Transporting of Live Oysters | This applies to licensed operators under the Fish and Seafood Act who are handling, processing, or transporting live oysters intended for raw consumption. Vibrio parahaemolyticus (Vp) is a bacterium that occurs naturally in shellfish such as oysters, clams, mussels, and scallops. Generally, Vp is found in higher concentrations during the summer months when water temperatures rise, often starting in May. During the summer of 2015, the largest Vp outbreak in Canadian history occurred resulting in a number of people becoming ill after eating raw oysters harvested from B.C. waters. The unseasonably high temperatures during the summer of 2015 were a contributing factor to the number of illnesses reported. With summer quickly approaching, implementing proper handling and storage processes is critical. It is important that shellfish destined for the market are properly handled, stored, and transported. Please review the Seafood Industry Notice and the BC Live Oyster Record Keeping Requirements infographic to ensure you’re taking the necessary precautions to prevent unsafe oysters from entering the market. Additional information on Vp can be found on the BC Centre for Disease Control website. To remain current on shellfish area closures, please check the Fisheries and Oceans Canada (DFO) real-time shellfish map and subscribe to the public fishery notices. If you have any questions, please contact Stella Lukman, Food Safety and Quality Specialist, by email or phone (778) 866-5287. Please see the Seafood Safety webpage for additional information. | Contact your Seafood Industry Specialist Anne Aubin Email: anne.aubin@gov.bc.ca AgriService BC connects farmers, food processors and new entrants to agricultural services, programs and information that can help them succeed. | | | | | |
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