Seafood e-Bulletin June 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: Events: - July 18: BC CrabFest – Victoria B.C.
- July 26: BC CrabFest – False Creek, B.C.
Programs and Resources: New This Month: - Video: Evaluating your Business for Shellfish Farmers in B.C.
Available Funding: - Regional Tariff Response Initiative in British Columbia – PacifiCan
- Processor Productivity Program
Available Services: - Seafood revenue data available
- Become a Buy BC member
- Canada Brand Program
- Single window contact for Agri-Food trade services
- Your step-by-step guide to export success
- Canada Tariff Finder
- 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
| Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada’s Global Analysis Group publishes a variety of market intelligence reports to help Canadian suppliers understand world markets and compete internationally. Recent titles include: For a complete list of international market intelligence reports on agriculture, food, and seafood by sector and country, visit the market intelligence reports table. | BC CrabFest – Victoria B.C. | When: July 18, 2026, from 11:00 AM - 10:00 PM (PT) Where: Ship Point, Inner Harbour, Victoria, B.C. Learn more | | Now in its fourth year, BC CrabFest is a one-day harbour gathering celebrating B.C. waters, coastal foodways, and the communities connected to them. The festival is anchored around the B.C. Dungeness Crab Boil, and features chef demonstrations, coastal storytelling, family activities, and local drinks - all at Ship Point in Victoria's Inner Harbour. Presented by BC Crab Co., a family-run seafood business founded by commercial fishing families committed to sharing sustainably harvested B.C. Dungeness crab with local communities. | BC CrabFest – False Creek B.C. | When: July 26, 2026, from 12:00 PM - 4:00 PM (PT) Where: Fishermen’s Wharf, False Creek, B.C. Register | | The BC Crab Fishermen’s Association, in partnership with the Chefs’ Table Society of B.C., is proud to announce the return of False Creek Crab Fest on Sunday, July 26, 2026, from 12:00 PM to 4:00 PM at False Creek Fishermen’s Wharf. Returning for its fourth year, the False Creek Crab Fest has become one of Vancouver’s signature summer food celebrations, bringing together seafood lovers, families, and community members for an unforgettable afternoon of West Coast flavour and fun on the waterfront. False Creek Crab Fest is a celebration with purpose. The event not only raises awareness for the sustainable management of British Columbia’s crab fishery but also supports the future of the food and hospitality community. Proceeds help advance initiatives led by Chefs’ Table Society including CTS’s culinary scholarships, mentorships, sustainability projects, and the development of The Commons by CTS – a gathering place dedicated to strengthening BC’s food and hospitality sector. | Video: Tax Considerations for Shellfish Farmers in B.C. | The Ministry of Agriculture and Food has produced a five-part series to support shellfish farmers and businesses with business development and succession planning. Understanding the value of your shellfish business is a critical step in any transition plan. This video explains how value is determined through cash flow, risk, and asset composition, with a focus on concepts like maintainable EBITDA and normalization of owner compensation. Find the rest of the series here. Each video in the series with be featured in upcoming editions of this newsletter. | 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 | Update: Please note the eligibility criteria have been updated for this program to remove the revenue maximum for seafood processors only. 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 | Seafood Revenue Data available | Seafood product preparation and packaging revenue data is available on the Ministry of Agriculture and Food website for 2014–2024, including historic estimates where applicable. Learn more | 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 | Sign up to become a member of Canada Brand! Canada Brand is a government-recognized national branding program developed to give your products an edge in competitive global markets. As a member you will gain free access to a suite of digital branding tools including: video content, animated graphics, branded GIFs and digital stickers, a photo library, and inclusion of a member profile in the online Canada Brand member directory. If you have any questions or encounter issues during the registration process, please email: aafc.marque-canada-brand.aac@agr.gc.ca Apply now | Single window contact for Agri-Food trade services | Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada's single window contact service can help you: - Find markets with most potential for your business;
- Address issues or barriers that could block your products from reaching foreign markets;
- Promote products at key international trade shows;
- Use Canada Brand program to market food products; and
- Leverage the international network of Trade Commissioners and in-market experts.
This service offers a single point of contact with the goal of helping the Canadian food industry and businesses reach international markets. If you have questions about exporting your agriculture or food products, or are looking for support, please contact the Market Access Secretariat at aafc.mas-sam.aac@agr.gc.ca. Learn more | Your step-by-step guide to export success | Thinking about exporting your food products? The Exporting from Canada: A Practical Guide from the Trade Commissioner Service is an essential starting point for Canadian food manufacturers and farmers aiming to expand into international markets. This easy-to-follow resource walks you through every step of the export process – from market research and financing to logistics and finding buyers. Whether you are new to exporting or looking to refine your approach, the guide helps you navigate the process with confidence and connect your products to global opportunities. Discover new markets and grow your exports – explore the guide today: Step-by-Step Guide to Exporting | The Canada Tariff Finder is a free online tool that can be used by all Canadian exporters or entrepreneurs who plan to export. The Canada Tariff Finder will give the tariff information applicable for the specific good being searched, for current and previous years. The Canada Tariff Finder also allows you to compare tariffs between export markets to help you assess the profitability of selling to different markets. 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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