Important Shellfish Quality Links

These links are the first place to start for shellfish quality and safety issues for shellfish growers.

Canadian Aquaculture Industry Alliance

The national industry association, which represents the interests of Canadian aquaculture operators, feed companies and suppliers, as well as provincial finfish and Shellfish aquaculture associations.  CAIA is an advocator of support for Canadian aquaculture in federal polices and programs, the national aquaculture development strategy, public and political support, and funding.

Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA)

CFIA  promotes product and process standards for the quality, safety and identity of seafood products in Canada.   CFIA is the lead agency with regards to the handling, processing, marketing, import and export of shellfish, to ensure compliance with the standards of the Canadian Shellfish Sanitation Program. CFIA is also responsible for the management of regional marine biotoxin monitoring programs.

1. Fish, Seafood and Production 
2. Acts and Regulations
3. General Information about the Canadian Shellfish Sanitation Program
4. Canadian Shellfish Sanitation Program Manual of Operations Forward
5. CSSP Manual of Operations Online 
6. Import and Export Inspection Programs
7. Quality Management Program

Environment Canada (EC)

Preservation of the natural environment, coordination and enforcement of environmental polices and programs set by the federal government. 

Canadian Shellfish Sanitation Program

Protection of public health and the safe consumption of shellfish.  Site contains program information, growing area surveys and classifications, and pollution abatement.

Shellfish and Water Quality 

General information, public health considerations, causes of shellfish contamination and closures.

Shellfish Water Quality Program 

Directory to shellfish water quality facts, growing area classifications, CSSP and harvesting guides.

Interstate Shellfish Sanitation Conference

The ISSC promotes shellfish sanitation by adopting guidelines set in the National Shellfish Sanitation Program, to regulate the harvest, processing and shipping of shellfish in the US.  This website contains Interstate Shellfish Sanitation Conference information,  meetings, training and shellfish information.

National Shellfish Sanitation Program 

Public health and  the safe consumption of shellfish.

US Department of Agriculture: Food and Drug Administration

The US food safety system is based on stringent, science-based federal and state laws with a legalresponsibility of industry to produce safe foods.  

1. USDA/FDA: HACCP training programs and resource database
2. USDA/FDA: Food borne Illness Education Center: Food Safety Links
3. USDA/FDA and Cooperative State Research - HACCP resources, bibliography of information on HACCP and quality assurance for the aquaculture sector.

US FDA: Center for Food Safety and Applied Nutrition

Seafood Information and Resources.  Food borne pathogens and contamination, HACCP compliance and Federal State programs.

1. US FDA/CFSAN:  Fish and Fisheries Products Hazards and Controls Guide. FDA HACCP folder.
2. Seafood HACCP An overview, regulations and further information sources.
3. US FDA/CFSAN: Department of Health and Human Services, Public Health Service.National Shellfish Sanitation Program- Guide for the Control of Molluscan Shellfish.
4. US FDA/CFSAN HACCP Regulations for Fish and Fishery Products - A guide to facilitate HACCP implementation into the seafood industry, based on online questions and answers