Seafood e-Bulletin

 January 2026

The source of program information, engagement opportunities, important updates, and upcoming events for seafood producers and processors in British Columbia

New This Month

• B.C Agriculture and Food Export Program 

Important Updates

• Building A Conservation Economy (Report)
• Norovirus Season Update

Events

• Jan 15: Expand Your Agrifood Business Across B.C. Webinar Series
• Jan 22: Ready for Retail: Pre-Tradeshow Market Readiness Webinar

Programs & Resources 

• B.C. Indigenous Pathfinder Service
• 2024 Annual Fisheries Production Survey Data
• Industry Association Governance Training Program 
• Become A Buy BC Member 

Reminders

• Update Your Contact Information

B.C. Agriculture and Food Export Program

The BC Agriculture and Food Export (BCAFE) Program helps agriculture, food, beverage, and seafood exporters grow sales and reduce market risk. It provides cost-shared funding for market development activities outside B.C. to help businesses and associations maintain, expand, or diversify export markets. The next intake will open January 19, 2026.

This year, the program has expanded eligible activities, including export-focused tradeshows, food fairs, sales exhibitions, consumer-focused promotional activities, marketing collateral, advertising or social media campaigns, market information and intelligence, product adaptation planning, and inbound missions (associations/boards/councils only).

Funding is available in two streams:

• Producers, processors, and cooperatives – 50/50 cost share; min. of $5,000 up to $50,000/year or 30% of the previous year’s annual revenues (whichever is lower).
• Industry associations, boards, and councils – 30 industry/70 government cost share; min. of $5,000 up to $75,000/year.

Note: The program website and guide will be updated closer to the intake opening.

Building A Conservation Economy (Report)

On the coast, First Nations have built a strong foundation for a conservation economy that strengthens communities, protects sensitive ecosystems, and has delivered $1.77 billion in gross economic output.

Over the past 17 years, First Nations have leveraged economic development funding from the Great Bear Rainforest agreements to invest $316 million in businesses, community infrastructure, regional planning, and training initiatives.

In turn, First Nations’ projects have generated strong returns for the regional and provincial economy: $808 million in provincial GDP impact, $331 million in household income, and $1.77 billion in gross output (figures adjusted for inflation to 2024 dollars).

These findings, supported by independent analysis and released today by Coast Funds, show that First Nations’ economic investments strengthen coastal communities and benefit the provincial economy.

Norovirus Season Update

As colder months bring a higher risk of norovirus, proper handling, storage, and transport of shellfish is essential. Please review the Seafood Industry Notice and the BC Live Oyster Record Keeping Requirements Infographic as a reminder of the regulatory requirements.

Expand Your Agrifood Business Across B.C. Webinar Series

When: January 15, 2026 at 10:00 AM - 11:00 AM (PST)
Where: Online - Zoom link will be sent to registered attendees

Join B.C. Ministry of Agriculture and Food, Export Navigator, and Strong's Market for a 60-minute session on scaling your agrifood business across British Columbia. 

B.C. shoppers are actively seeking out local food and beverages, looking for convenient ways to discover, try, and buy from producers and processors within their own communities. For B.C.’s agrifood businesses, the “shop local” mindset creates a major growth opportunity to move beyond your immediate region and start selling province-wide. 

Whether you’re currently selling at farmers' markets, local shops and online, or preparing for your first provincial retail pitch, this session will offer clear guidance and actionable steps to help you grow your footprint across B.C. with confidence.

Learning Points

• Identify tools and supports available from the B.C. Ministry of Agriculture and Food, including Buy BC and Feed BC programming
• Know what it takes to make the leap from selling locally to sell provincially
• Learn what B.C. retailers look for when considering new products to add to their banners
• Choose the right retail banner for your business and be successful when delivering for a provincial-level retailer

Explore the series. This session is part of a five-part series for B.C.'s agrifood businesses looking to grow and diversify into new markets. Visit exnav.co/education for more information. 

Questions? Contact info@exportnavigator.ca or visit exportnavigator.ca.

Can't join live? Register using the button below to receive a recording after the session.

Ready for Retail: Pre-Tradeshow Market Readiness Webinar

When: January 22, 2026 at 10:00 AM - 12:00 PM (PST)
Where: Online 

Is your company ready to maximize success at major trade shows like Canadian Health Food Association NOW and Grocery & Specialty Food West? This comprehensive two-hour webinar equips emerging and growing food and beverage brands with the essential knowledge and practical strategies needed to convert trade show participation into measurable sales growth and return on investment. 

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 the following areas:

• Indigenous food systems
• Food sovereignty
• Food security
• 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

For more information: IndigenousFoodSystems@gov.bc.ca

2024 Annual Fisheries Production Survey Data

The Ministry of Agriculture & Food conducts the Annual Fisheries Production Schedule (AFPS) each year, collecting seafood production data from all processors and receivers in B.C. This information supports economic analysis and helps assess the health of the province’s seafood processing sector.

Data is aggregated by species and environment (wild or farmed). 2024 data is now available for public release. Questions can be directed to ALSTATS@gov.bc.ca

Industry Association Governance Training Program 

Call out for BC Ag Industry Association and Regional Association Training Participants

The B.C. Ministry of Agriculture and Food is excited to announce an opportunity for Industry Association Governance Training. This program delivers comprehensive, practical, and engaging governance training tailored for agricultural organizations and industry associations across British Columbia. It strengthens board capacity, improves decision making, and fosters accountability and transparency.

Kevin Freedman (Kevin@GovernanceGuru.ca) is a speaker, educator, and social entrepreneur who supports governance and leadership across Canada. Founder of Governance Guru, he trains boards and executives nationwide and teaches at the University of Winnipeg. A prolific board member and former CEO, he delivered over 400 governance training sessions across Canada; specialized in non-profit and agricultural boards.

What’s offered:

A full-day (6 hours) governance training session virtual or in-person with pre-assessment & engagement by consultant to tailor modules to participant needs for staffed organizations or working boards with limited/no staff.

Core topic examples:

• Board roles & responsibilities
• Financial oversight & risk management
• Effective association management
• Best practices for board governance

Program Timeline: Jan 2026– Feb 2027

When reaching out, please include: Your organization name, estimated number of participants, your preferred session format (virtual or in-person), your meeting location if in-person.

This is a free-of-charge opportunity aimed to improve the functioning of Ag Industry Associations/Regional Associations, and support agricultural sectors.

We encourage you to share this information with others who may benefit. If you have any questions, feel free to reach out directly to Rayman Liu (Rayman.liu@gov.bc.ca).

Thank you for your commitment to strengthening organizational governance.

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.

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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