The source of program information, engagement opportunities, important updates, and upcoming events for seafood producers and processors in British Columbia
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Seafood e-Bulletin
May 2025
The source of program information, engagement opportunities, important updates, and upcoming events for seafood producers and processors in British Columbia
This May newsletter includes:
Programs and Funding Opportunities
- Business Advisory Services
- Become a Buy BC member
New Resources
- Agri-Food Cybersecurity - Cyber Science Lab
Events
- MSC Certification & B.C. Salmon – Info Session & Discussion
Updates:
- Registration requirements for processing, storage and export establishments of select agricultural products
Reminder:
- Temporary Foreign Worker Information
- Discussion Papers
- Preparing for New Housing Standards
- Update Your Contact Information
Business Advisory Services
The Province of B.C. is now offering free business advisory services.
Business advisory services include:
- Free one-on-one consultations with expert advisors
- Access to resources designed to help businesses start, grow and thrive
- Guidance on navigating government programs and funding opportunities
Become a Buy BC member
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.
Buy BC members are also eligible for the Buy BC Partnership Program.
The Buy BC Partnership Program is a fundamental component of Buy BC that provides up to $2 million in cost-shared funding annually to local producers, processors, and associations to support their ability to undertake local marketing activities that increase consumer awareness and sales of B.C. agriculture, food and beverage products.
Agri-Food Cybersecurity - Cyber Science Lab
The Cyber Science Lab (CSL), based at the University of Guelph, is dedicated to enhancing the security of Canada’s agricultural systems. By addressing emerging risks and offering practical solutions, CSL helps protect the critical infrastructure that supports the nation’s food supply.
Canada’s aquaculture industry is a critical player in providing seafood to domestic and international markets. With the increasing use of smart technology for water quality monitoring, fish health tracking, and automated feeding systems, the industry faces growing cybersecurity challenges. Threats such as cyberattacks targeting IoT devices, data breaches, and disruptions to production systems can compromise the integrity of aquaculture operations.
To help aquaculture producers mitigate these risks, we offer the following resources:
- Self-Assessment Form – A tool for assessing and enhancing cybersecurity practices within aquaculture operations.
- Top 10 Vulnerabilities in Aqua Industry – A resource to identify and address cybersecurity vulnerabilities in the aquaculture sector.
- Tabletop Exercise Framework – A guide to simulate cyber incidents and improve response strategies for production disruptions.
MSC Certification & B.C. Salmon – Info Session & Discussion
There has been renewed interest in pursuing MSC certification for B.C. salmon. To build on this momentum, Marine Stewardship Council are hosting a webinar to bring together individuals and organizations involved in the B.C. salmon fishery and supply chain.
Goals of the Webinar:
- Provide a shared understanding of the MSC certification process and the MSC Improvement Program.
- Explore the scope of a potential MSC certificate for B.C. Salmon, including an open discussion on which fisheries could benefit from certification.
- Discuss funding mechanisms for MSC certification and long-term sustainability strategies.
Date: Thursday, May 15, 2025
Time: 10:00 AM -12:00 PM PDT
Registration requirements for processing, storage and export establishments of select agricultural products
The Market Access Secretariat (MAS) would like to remind all Canadian establishments registered under the General Administration of Customs China (GACC) Department of Animal and Plant Quarantine (DAPQ) online system of the importance of verifying the accuracy of their enterprise information currently published in the system prior to shipping their products to China.
The DAPQ online system includes establishments involved in the production, processing, storage, and/or export of certain plant-based commodities and non-edible animal-based products destined for the Chinese market (see list of products included below). As Chinese customs authorities refer to the published information within this system as part of the import clearance process, it is critical that you verify that all of your establishment’s listing in the DAPQ online system is fully accurate. Prior to exporting/shipping any product, it is also critical to ensure that the export documentation, including the enterprise name (English), establishment address, overseas official registration No. and the product name(s) matches exactly the information in the system.
MAS has recently been made aware of delays and shipment holds at Chinese ports of entry due to discrepancies between enterprise details published in the DAPQ online system and information appearing on Canadian companies’ export documentation. Please note that even the smallest inconsistencies can trigger a rejection at the port of entry. To minimize the risk of such disruptions, prior to shipping any product to China, industry stakeholders are strongly encouraged to verify that all their establishments’ export documentation matches exactly the information in the DAPQ online system, including:
• Company name (English)
• Overseas official registration number
• Address
• Product(s) listed
The most efficient way to query your company in the DAPQ online system is by using your Overseas official registration number, which would have been provided by MAS or the Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) upon your establishment's initial registration.
Temporary Foreign Worker Information
Discussion Papers
Employment and Social Development Canada is implementing changes to the Temporary Foreign Worker Program in 2027, and has recently wrapped up consultations via six discussion papers on the different themes of changes. If you were not engaged and did not received the papers, either directly or through an industry association or other organization, please contact Andrea.Palmer@gov.bc.ca for a copy. Please note that the engagement periods for all discussion papers have now closed, but the Ministry is accepting any questions industry might have.
Preparing for New Housing Standards
Starting in January 2027, new federal housing requirements will affect employers in B.C. who provide housing for temporary foreign workers. These proposed requirements apply to employers in primary harvesting, primary fruit and vegetable processing, and seafood processing employers.
To get ready, the Ministry of Health and the Ministry of Agriculture and Food are asking employers who provide or will provide temporary foreign worker housing to complete a short, anonymous survey. The survey opens on May 7 and closes June 20, 2025. It will help the Province understand how prepared employers are to meet these new proposed housing requirements and how best to support employers to meet them.
Update Your Contact Information
Moving or changing your phone number? Be sure to update any contact information for your aquaculture files by emailing Aquaculture.Program@gov.bc.ca with your file number and any updated contact information.
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