Stronger traceability will help curtail unsustainable practices, fraud, human rights abuses and illegal fishing.

In December, SeaChoice along with 25 seafood companies, grocery store chains and experts called on the Federal government to bring Canada’s seafood traceability standards into the 21st century. 

The letter, delivered to the Canadian Food Inspection Agency as part of its recent boat-to-plate seafood traceability consultation, argues that the minimum standards for traceability be expanded so that all seafood products sold in Canada are fully traceable from the point of final sale back to the point of harvest, including key information about the who, what, where, when and how of fishing or farming, processing and distribution. The signatories, including the large grocery store chains Buy-Low Foods and Save-On-Foods, and large seafood supplier, Ocean Brands, also emphasized their concern that no timeline or plan is in place for the implementation of a better traceability system.

Government action on this promise is long-awaited, as the commitment was made initially in 2019 when the Federal government instructed the Canadian Food Inspection Agency to work with the Minister of Fisheries, Oceans and the Canadian Coast Guard and the Minister of Agriculture and Agri-Food, to develop a boat-to-plate traceability program to help Canadian fishers to “better market their high-quality products”.

However, the instruction to deliver this program is missing from the new mandate letters published in December 2021, meaning continued support for improved seafood traceability from industry, experts, and the public is critical to ensure progress at the Federal level. 

With jurisdictions worldwide increasingly requiring electronic data to follow seafood products through the supply chain to safeguard their true identity and point of origin and to ensure legality, Canada needs to step up and implement a boat-to-plate traceability system, for all seafood sold in Canada.

What’s next?

On December 11th, 2021 the Canadian Food Inspection Agency closed its 120-day consultation period on the boat-to-plate traceability program. The Agency will be reviewing the feedback received and publishing a “What We Heard” report summarizing the submissions and feedback this spring/summer. 

The House of Commons Standing Committee on Fisheries and Oceans is currently studying seafood traceability in Canada as a way to support the sustainability and long-term viability of Canada’s seafood supply chains and will present their recommendations to the government. 

SeaChoice will continue to engage with the government and industry to ensure the implementation of a modern, full-chain seafood traceability system that is long overdue in Canada. Sign up for our newsletter to be kept informed of developments and opportunities for you to show your support for seafood traceability and labelling.