Seafood e-Bulletin

 March 2026

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

New This Month

• Applications open: AgriMarketing Program – Market diversification funding for small and medium-sized enterprises 

Events

• Mar 5: Webinar - Build a Market Entry Strategy as an Agrifood Business
• Mar 5: Webinar - Social License: Can the Next Generation Drive Trust?
• Mar 16: Webinar - Navigate Shipping and Logistics for Your Agrifood Business
• May 6-7: Pacific Seaweed Summit in Campbell River

Programs and Resources 

• Applications open: 2026-2027 Knowledge and Technology Transfer Program
• Now available: 2024 Seafood Sector Annual Snapshot 
• Become a Buy BC Member
• B.C. Indigenous Pathfinder Service Available

Reminders

• Update your contact information

AgriMarketing Program – Market Diversification for Small and Medium-sized Enterprises

The AgriMarketing Program offers targeted support tailored to specific sector needs. This includes a combined $75 million in contribution funding over 5 fiscal years (2026-2027 to 2030-2031) to promote market diversification, in addition to support already provided under the Sustainable Canadian Agricultural Partnership (Sustainable CAP). The following support encourages greater diversification to respond to market instability in the Canadian agriculture, agri-food and agri-products sector, including fish and seafood:

• Market Diversification for Small and Medium-sized Enterprises
• Market Diversification for National Industry Associations

Program objectives:

• Open new, non-traditional markets and expand export activities to diversify and increase the volume and value of Canadian exports and interprovincial trade
• Prioritize projects that help Canadian agricultural and agri-food sectors (including fish and seafood) diversify beyond traditional markets to support the long-term growth of the sector and to help lessen current and future trade uncertainties
• Target new opportunities in high-growth potential and non-traditional markets to increase and diversify exports and strengthen interprovincial trade

Priority areas include, but are not limited to, those that:

• Respond to specific trade disruptions for highly impacted sectors
• Develop marketing strategies for sectors across the agricultural supply chain, including fish and seafood, to diversify into new markets
• Enhance trade diversification into various high-growth potential and non-traditional markets (such as Africa, the Middle East, and the Indo-Pacific) to further expand global exports and the domestic market (via increased interprovincial trade)
• Reduce the impacts of volatility and unpredictability in the current global trading context

Webinar: Build a Market Entry as an Agrifood Business

When: March 5, 2026, from 10:00 AM - 11:15 AM (PT)
Where: Online

Join the Export Navigator team and guest speakers as we walk through how to assess and validate market opportunities, develop a market entry strategy, and compare common entry approaches such as working with distributors or brokers, partnering with local companies, or pursuing direct sales. You’ll learn the pros and cons of each business model and how to decide what fits your business stage and capacity. 

Webinar - Social License: Can the Next Generation Drive Trust?

Aquaculture North America, Young Salmon Farmers of BC, YoungFish, and Young Aquaculture Society, on behalf of the Next Generation Seafood Alliance, are hosting a three-part series exploring the critical issues shaping the next generation of the seafood industry. From empowering young professionals and fostering leadership to building public trust in aquaculture, these sessions bring together experts and emerging voices to share insights, strategies, and opportunities for growth. 

Part 2 of the webinar series will take place on March 5.

Part 2: Can the Next Generation Drive Trust? – Tackling misinformation and building public confidence in aquaculture

Moderated by: Michelle Franze, manager of Communications, Partnerships, and Community for the BC Salmon Farmers Association (BCSFA)

• Katelyn Harris, Community Outreach and Education coordinator for the Atlantic Canada Fish Farmers Association (ACFFA)
• Brian Kingzett, executive director of the BC Salmon Farmers Association (BCSFA)
• Joanna Mendes, ESG & Communities Partner at Tassal Group
• James Sibley, Aquaculture Educator, Content Creator and founder of Sibley Media

Part 3 of the series will take place on April 9.

Part 3: The Seafood Leaders of Tomorrow – Developing leadership skills early and creating pathways for bold, visionary leaders

Moderated by: YoungFish

• Kaitlin Guitard, Fish Health and Food Safety lab manager at Mowi Canada West
• Isaiah Robinson, Deputy Chief Councillor of the Kitasoo Xai’xais Nation

Be part of the conversation that will define the future of seafood—through collaboration, innovation, and leadership.

Webinar: Navigate Shipping and Logistics for Your Agrifood Business

When: March 16, 2026 from 10:00 AM – 11:00 AM (PT)
Where: Online

Join Export Navigator and guest experts for a 60-minute session on shipping and transportation considerations for agrifood exporters. This webinar will provide an overview of common shipping options, packaging and labeling requirements, and the documentation needed to move products across borders, including export declarations and permits. Whether you’re preparing your first shipment or preparing to scale, this session will help you understand your options and make informed shipping decisions.

Note: This webinar will be land-based agriculture focused, however, there may be applicable concepts and procedures for seafood producers.

   Pacific Seaweed Summit 

The Pacific Seaweed Summit presents a valuable and timely opportunity for researchers, industry professionals, Indigenous leaders, government representatives, and community members to come together. It serves as a platform to establish a solid foundation for responsible growth in the sector, fostering collaboration, innovation, and long-term stewardship. 

Seaweed Summit will be held in Campbell River from May 6-8. This event is co-hosted by North Island College, Wei Wai Kum First Nation, Heiltsuk Climate Action, and Pacific Seaweed Industry Association.

Knowledge and Technology Transfer Program 

2026-2027 applications for the Knowledge and Technology Transfer Program are open!  

The Knowledge and Technology Transfer Program (KTTP) supports organizations to deliver training and learning activities for B.C. producers and processors. 

Funding is available to support knowledge transfer activities such as workshops, farm tours, field trials, etc. that build skills, support adoption of best practices, and help the agriculture and food sector respond to emerging challenges. 

For the 2026–27 program year, organizations can apply for up to 75% of eligible project costs, to a maximum of $7,500 per application. Activities must occur between April 1, 2026, and February 28, 2027. 

Applications will be reviewed on a first come, first served basis while funding remains available. 

Watch the video below for more information. 

For questions, contact: Knowledge.Transfer@gov.bc.ca. 

Funding for the Program is provided in part by the governments of Canada and British Columbia through the Sustainable Canadian Agricultural Partnership, a federal-provincial-territorial initiative. 

2024 Seafood Sector Annual Snapshot

The 2024 Seafood Sector Annual Snapshot is now available.

The snapshot provides an overview of the seafood, food, and beverage processing and export industries, including key indicators such as GDP, international exports, employment, and sales. Page 5 highlights the seafood and fisheries sector specifically, covering commercial fishing, aquaculture, and seafood product preparation and packaging.

Find the snapshot and the interactive dashboard by clicking the button below.

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.

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.

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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