Requirements for shellfish aquaculture tags in BC

Tagging harvested product is required to identify and track shellfish harvested from growing areas through to licensed processing facilities, for proper management of fisheries and with the intent to protect consumers. Along with product movement records and Annual Aquaculture Statistical Reports, harvest tags are a key component of a robust traceability system.

Illustration of a tag, showing space for recording:

• species
• licence holder name
• pacific fishery management area
• land file number or facility reference number
• date of harvest

Tagging harvested product helps ensure that shellfish are harvested:

• From an open and approved area (unless licensed under the Management of Contaminated Fisheries Regulations); and
• By a licensed harvester.

In the case of an illness outbreak, biotoxin closure, or a contamination event, tags are a principle mechanism to trace shellfish back to their source in order to:

1. Support public health and regulatory decisions (including closures); and
2. Support removal of product from distribution.

Tags:

• must be affixed prior to leaving licensed area
• must be legible and complete
• must be waterproof and in water resistant ink

Flagging tape is not an acceptable means of tagging. Industry associations might be able to provide support in sourcing appropriate materials or accessing tagging technology

For more information, please contact: DFO.AQSF-AQMC.MPO@dfo-mpo.gc.ca

DFO shellfish aquaculture conditions of licence (2025)

Harvesting and handling

12.1 In respect of tagging containers of shellfish:

1. Prior to leaving the licensed facility, all containers holding harvested shellfish that are destined for market sale shall be marked with a visible tag identifying the following:
   1. licence holder name;
   2. species;
   3. Pacific Fishery Management Area;
   4. BC Land File number or DFO Facility Reference number; and
   5. date of harvest.
2. Tags shall be waterproof and all information shall be written in water resistant ink and legible.
3. The licence holder shall not use flagging tape as a tag, unless as part of a tagging plan that is authorized by DFO, as part of this licence.
4. Tags shall not be removed from any container until the product enters a relay system that is approved under the Management of Contaminated Fisheries Regulations and is identified in an approved decontamination plan, or the harvested shellfish are landed at a facility licensed by the Canadian Food Inspection Agency with the appropriate processing permission.
5. For the purpose of bulk tagging of shellfish destined for market sale, the licence holder shall not bulk tag harvested shellfish destined for market sale, unless as part of a tagging plan that is authorized by DFO, as part of this licence.