Sustainable fish and seafood

Bounded by three oceans – the Pacific, Arctic and Atlantic - Canada is home to the longest coastline and the largest freshwater lake system in the world. We are proud of the fish and seafood that come from them. Fish and seafood are part of our culture, our way of life, so it's vital that our fisheries remain healthy for future generations.

Our clean, cold waters contain more than 160 species of fish and seafood, and our fresh, frozen, smoked and canned products are in high demand in every corner of the globe.

Canadians can be confident that they are eating legally harvested Canadian seafood thanks to Canada’s Catch Certification program. This program provides certifications for fish and seafood exports to prove that the product was caught through legal, regulated, and reported fisheries. Currently, all of our fish exports to the European Union, United Kingdom, Ukraine and Japan are accompanied by a catch certificate.

This program provides certification to fish and seafood exports. It is required that:

• fish exports to the EU, UK, Ukraine and Japan are accompanied by a catch certificate
• this program certifies that Canadian product was caught in legal, regulated and reported fisheries

More information on what Canada does to make sure that your seafood is safe to eat.

Did you know?

• Fish and seafood are among the largest single food commodities exported by Canada.
• Canadian and US seafood harvesters and processors are closely interconnected, supporting North American food security.
• Canada exported fish and seafood products to 118 countries in 2024.
• Canada's most valuable exports by species in 2024 were lobster, snow/queen crab, and Atlantic salmon.

Learn more about our statistics, including on Canada’s fish and seafood trade, aquaculture, commercial fisheries, and recreational fishing.

Fisheries management in Canada

Canada is a world leader in the sustainable management of fisheries and aquaculture. Sustainable fisheries mean harvesting and farming fish stocks in a way that meets our present needs without compromising the ability to meet our future needs.

We have an abundance of ecologically diverse and economically significant freshwater and marine and coastal areas. We ensure our fisheries remain sustainable by making decisions that consider the connection between environmental, economic and social issues. Our overarching goal is to protect Canada’s three oceans, its coasts, waterways and fisheries, and to ensure these remain healthy for future generations.

Learn more about how our fisheries funds provide financial support to keep our fish and seafood sector sustainable and innovative, while meeting the growing demands of a worldwide market.

Seafood from across Canada

Nova Scotia

• Nova Scotia is Canada’s largest exporter of fish and seafood with exports valued at almost $2.4 billion in 2024.
• Over 125,000 tonnes of fish and seafood were exported – mostly comprised of lobster, scallop and snow/queen crab.

New Brunswick

• New Brunswick is Canada’s second largest exporter of fish and seafood with exports valued at almost $2.0 billion in 2024.
• That equates to almost 100,000 tonnes of fish and seafood – mostly comprised of lobster, Atlantic salmon, and snow/queen crab.

Newfoundland and Labrador

• Newfoundland and Labrador is Canada’s third largest exporter of fish and seafood with exports valued near $1.4 billion in 2024.
• That equates to almost 117,000 tonnes of fish and seafood – mostly comprised of snow/queen crab, shrimp and prawn, and Atlantic salmon.

British Columbia

• British Columbia is Canada’s fourth largest exporter of fish and seafood with exports valued at over $1.3 billion in 2024.
• That equates to almost 114,000 tonnes of fish and seafood – mostly comprised of Atlantic salmon and crab.

Prince Edward Island

• Prince Edward Island is Canada’s fifth largest exporter of fish and seafood with exports valued at over $444 million in 2024.
• That equates to almost 22,600 tonnes of fish and seafood – mostly comprised of lobster, farmed mussel and oyster and snow/queen crab.

Quebec

• Quebec is Canada’s sixth largest exporter of fish and seafood with exports valued at almost $409 million in 2024.
• That equates to over 16,000 tonnes of fish and seafood – mostly comprised of lobster and snow/queen crab.