Seafood e-Bulletin
May 2026
The source of program information, engagement opportunities, important updates, and upcoming events for seafood producers and processors in British Columbia
New This Month:
- Notice to Industry - Handling, Processing, or Transporting of Live Oyster
Events:
- May 11: Open Office Hours Export Café - Vancouver B.C.
Programs and Resources:
New This Month
- Funding available: FCC AgriSpirit Fund
- Video: Introduction to Business Transition Planning for Shellfish Farmers in B.C.
- Business intelligence: Trade Reports
- Documentary: Results of the Climate Ready BC Seafood Program
Available Funding
- Processor Productivity Program
- AgriMarketing Program: Market Diversification for National Industry Associations
- AgriMarketing Program: Market Diversification for Small and Medium-sized Enterprises
- Funding update: Knowledge and Technology Transfer Program
- Rural and Remote Employment Initiatives Fund. Business Advisory Supports, Northern Development Initiative Trust
Available Services
- Become a BuyBC 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
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 are 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.
Open Office Hours Export Café
When: May 11, 2026, from 3:00 PM – 5:00 PM (PT)
Where: Library Square, Vancouver, B.C.
The Trade Commissioner Service of Canada will be hosting a free export café, and Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada’s B.C. Regional Office will also be present at this event. If you are curious about federal or B.C. programs that could help your business grow, innovate, or export, this event can help you find relevant programs for your business.
New This Month
Do you have a capital project that will enrich lives in your rural community? The Farm Credit Canada AgriSpirit Fund supports projects in communities of less than 50,000 people. Eligible applicants can apply for $10,000 to $25,000.
Deadline: May 15 11:59 PM (CST).
Video: Introduction to Business Transition Planning 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.
This first video in the series introduces transition planning for shellfish farmers and outlines key considerations farmers should be thinking about when preparing for the future of your business. Topics include business readiness, financial clarity, operational structure, and long-term objectives. It also highlights common challenges, such as uncertainty around timing, value, and succession options.
Find the rest of the series here. Each video in the series with be featured in upcoming editions of this newsletter.
- Part 2 – Tax Considerations : https://youtu.be/Hj35zAP5vUg
- Part 3 - Evaluating Your Business: https://youtu.be/O8ajkxk_fkQ
- Part 4 - Business Planning : https://youtu.be/k5PklaSXumM
- Part 5 – Financial Management: https://youtu.be/dnBH8kLTTEE
Business intelligence: Trade Reports
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.
Documentary: The Climate Ready BC Seafood Program
Ocean acidification and hypoxia threaten British Columbia's coastal food security.
This short documentary highlights some of the 11 projects funded by a $2M funding envelope provided by the Province of British Columbia to create the Climate Ready BC Seafood Program.
Learn more about how these groups are working to further our understanding of the impacts of ocean acidification and hypoxia in B.C. to provide knowledge for mitigation and adaptation that supports enhancing the resiliency of B.C.'s seafood sector.
Processor Productivity Program
New Funding to Strengthen Productivity in B.C.’s Food & Beverage Sector
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.
AgriMarketing Program: Market Diversification for National Industry Associations
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.
Eligibility: See website for more information.
Funding: The maximum Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada (AAFC) non-repayable contribution toward a project under the program will normally not exceed $1 million per year or a maximum of $5 million over 5 years. See website for more details.
Deadline: September 30, 2030.
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.
Eligibility: See website for more information.
Funding: The maximum Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada (AAFC) non-repayable contribution toward a project under the program will normally be less than $100,000 per project, with a maximum duration of up to 18 months from the contribution agreement effective date. Projects must have a minimum total cost of $20,000, for a minimum AAFC contribution of $14,000. See website for more details.
Deadline: September 30, 2030.
Knowledge and Technology Transfer Program 2026-27
Program funds for the Knowledge and Technology Transfer Program (KTTP) 2026–2027 have now been fully committed.
Applications submitted from May 4 onward will be placed on a waiting list and reviewed in order of receipt if funding becomes available.
Organizations with complete and eligible applications will be contacted should funding become available. Note that submission of an application does not guarantee funding.
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.
Rural and Remote Employment Initiatives Fund: Business Advisory Supports, Northern Development Initiative Trust
The Business Advisory Supports Program is designed to offset the costs associated with obtaining third-party professional support for small businesses. The intent of the program is for applicants to be able to access professional support for addressing specific tariff-related impacts and for sustaining and/or creating employment opportunities.
Eligibility: Community Contribution Companies, First Nation Businesses (select industries), Not-For-Profits (select purposes), Small and Medium-Sized Businesses, Wholly-Owned First Nation Development Corporations – Please note this program is regionally specific to the Northern Development Initiative Trust.
Funding: Up to $30,000 available to a maximum of 85% of the eligible project budget.
- Funding up to $50,000 towards a maximum of 85% of the eligible project budget may be available for complex projects.
Deadline: December 31, 2026, or until fully allocated
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.
- Build customer awareness
- Increase exposure
- Expand market share and sales
Canada Brand Program
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
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.
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 - Tradecommissioner.gc.ca
Canada Tariff Finder
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.
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.
