Photo: Gerry Boland Studio & 
Department of Fisheries and 
Aquaculture. 
Packaging shrimp.
(Click on photo to visit Gerry 
Boland Studio)

 

 

 

Photo: Gerry Boland Studio & 
Department of Fisheries and 
Aquaculture.
Shrimp conveyor system
(Click on photo to visit Gerry 
Boland Studio)

 

 

Photo: Gerry Boland Studio & 
Department of Fisheries and 
Aquaculture.
Fish trimming line
(Click on photo to visit Gerry 
Boland Studio)

FISHERIES 
- AN EMPHASIS ON PRODUCT QUALITY

The fishery has moved from an industry dominated by groundfish to one where shellfish is the principal species. At the same time, the operating philosophy of the industry has become focused on maximizing the value of resources.

The importance of product quality in a competitive and demanding international marketplace cannot be understated. Products of the highest quality command the highest prices and a greater return is realized to industry stakeholders. Consistent production of high quality products also results in more stable and potentially larger markets. The focus on product quality begins at the time of harvest and continues until delivery to the final consumer. The goal of the Newfoundland and Labrador industry is to be the best producer of fish in the world.

The Province has legislative jurisdiction over all fish landed within its boundaries, including handling, buying, processing, storing, grading and marketing. This legislative framework enables the Province to ensure that all fish and fish products intended for commercial purposes meet rigid health and safety standards.

Quality Assurance Program and Processor Licensing Policy
Government and industry identified seafood quality assurance as a priority and introduced a Quality Assurance Program through the Department of Fisheries and Aquaculture. The Program, implemented in 1996, involves monitoring of vessel landings, unloading of fish, transporting fish, and holding areas within processing plants. In 1999, the Department�s fish inspection officers conducted 4,700 inspections of vessels, transport vehicles and processing plants, double the number of inspections conducted four years ago. This is a significant departure from the Department�s previous activities which were generally confined to monitoring processing establishments. In addition, licensing policies and regulations for processors have been revised to address quality concerns, introducing more prescriptive measures related to temperature controls, the stacking of fish, and containerization.

Since the inception of the Quality Assurance Program, considerable progress has been made in improving product quality and the Province�s reputation as a seafood producer in the international marketplace. Fish harvesters and processors are, in turn, receiving record earnings. The landed value and production value for fish products has almost doubled since 1996, due to a solid resource base, quality improvements and strong markets.

Industry Commitment
The Department of Fisheries and Aquaculture organizes quality workshops on an ongoing basis for fish harvesters, processors and other industry stakeholders. These well-attended workshops focus on quality from the time fish is landed on board vessels to its final delivery to consumers throughout the world. The Marine Institute of Memorial University and research institutes such as the Canadian Centre for Fisheries Innovation and C-CORE, are conducting research related to quality assurance, new product development, and maximizing the use of resources. The Marine Institute also offers courses to harvesters and fish plant workers related to improving product quality.

Industry commitment is further illustrated by the recently created Government-Industry Working Group on Fisheries. Among other tasks, the mandate of this working group will include the development of a long term Quality Action Plan to lead the fishing industry into the 21st century.