Fish and Seafood From Canada

As a country that is surrounded by water on three sides and has countless lakes and rivers, fish and seafood are simply part of Canada and Canadian cuisine. Freshly caught fish, such as salmon or herring, and seafood such as mussels, shrimp or the famous lobster, can be found on almost every corner of Canada's coast — especially in the Atlantic provinces and in the province of British Columbia.

But we also appreciate these Canadian products, which are known internationally for their diversity, unmistakable taste and quality. And why? Canadian seafood comes from the cleanest and coldest waters in the world. Thanks to the low temperatures, seafood grows more slowly and develops a more intense flavor. The world-famous lobster has firmer meat, the prawns are more tender and the oysters are sweeter than in other regions of the world. The longer growing season in nutrient-rich waters creates the perfect conditions for all Canadian seafood — more than 160 species in total.

© Destination Canada
© Destination Canada

The People Behind
the Products

From small villages to vibrant cities, thousands of livelihoods depend on harvesting wild and farmed seafood in the Northwest Atlantic all year round. The people who work in this industry know that it takes courage and determination. You have to face the hard work that doesn't want to wait until tomorrow and accept it, despite cold hands. It is a way of life for countless people and their families. It contributes billions of dollars to the Canadian economy.

Facts
‍

In total, over 72,000 Canadians work in fishing and aquaculture, which generate 7.5 billion dollars in turnover annually. The products are exported to 133 countries worldwide. According to the World Food Organization FAO, Canada is one of the leading exporters of fish and seafood. In terms of value, the country accounts for almost three percent of global trade in these products.

Quality

Canadian seafood is of the highest quality, following the strictest regulations for safe and sustainable harvesting of wild and farmed seafood. A majority of Canadian seafood is certified as sustainable by globally recognized programs such as the Marine Stewardship Council (MSC), Best Aquaculture Practices or Ocean Wise. Processing is carried out in modern plants that are registered for compliance with national and international standards for food safety and quality assurance.

© Destination Canada - Halifax, Nova Scotia Sep 13, 2019
© Destination Canada - Halifax, Nova Scotia Sep 13, 2019

Sustainability

Canada is home to a vast ecosystem that is rich in marine life. But with this wealth comes responsibility. That is why the entire Canadian fishery sector is committed to careful management of the oceans, seas, lakes and rivers and is a world leader in the sustainable management of oceans, seas, lakes and rivers. An important part of this leadership role is the recognition that fisheries are constantly evolving to meet market demands for transparency and traceability. Fisheries strategies are based on the work of researchers and scientists. Important decisions about the management of fish stocks are based on their work. Provincial governments and aquaculture companies have developed detailed strategies that ensure the ecological, financial and social sustainability of the aquaculture sector. Our environment is an invaluable resource, which is why 13.8% of Canada's marine and coastal areas have so far been blocked as “Marine Protected Areas” (MPA) for many economic uses.

© Seafood from Canada
© Seafood from Canada