Fishery Notice

Fisheries and Oceans Canada reminds Shellfish Aquaculture Licence holders in 
British Columbia of the importance of tagging and traceability of harvested 
product destined for human consumption. In the rare cases of food-borne illness 
linked to the consumption of shellfish, the ability to track product back to 
the harvest site without delay is of utmost importance to prevent further 
contamination of product and spread of illness. Traceability measures also 
increase consumer confidence and enables exports to international markets.
	
Tagging and traceability measures are necessary to protect consumers and the 
industry. DFO is responsible for the control of harvest from aquaculture sites, 
the Pacific Aquaculture Regulations Shellfish Aquaculture Conditions of Licence 
set out measures for tagging and traceability of product harvested from 
licenced shellfish aquaculture sites.
	
In respect of tagging containers of shellfish: Prior to leaving the licenced 
area, all containers holding shellfish that are destined for market sale shall 
be marked with a visible tag identifying the following:
-Licence Holder Name;
-Species;
-Pacific Fishery Management Area;
-Land File Number;
-Date of Harvest; and 
-Facility Reference Number

Tags shall be waterproof and all information shall be written in water 
resistant ink.
	
Shellfish aquaculture licence holders are also required to maintain written or 
electronic records of all shellfish product transfers and harvests as per the 
Conditions of Licence. A copy of the licence shall accompany all movements of 
fish to and from the licenced area, and be available for inspection by a 
Fishery Officer or Fishery Guardian.
	
Shellfish aquaculture licence holders are required to read and understand their 
Conditions of Licence. The Shellfish Aquaculture Conditions of Licence can be 
found online at: 
http://www.pac.dfo-mpo.gc.ca/aquaculture/licence-permis/docs/licence-cond-
permis-shell-coq/index-eng.html


FOR MORE INFORMATION:

For more information on tagging and traceability requirements for the shellfish 
aquaculture industry, contact shellfish.aquaculture@dfo-mpo.gc.ca.

Fisheries & Oceans Operations Center - FN1007
Sent September 27, 2017 at 1056

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Visit Fisheries and Oceans Canada on the Web at http://www.pac.dfo-mpo.gc.ca
Printed from the Pacific Region web site on May 15, 2024 at 0030