Program History

• The Dunne Report, through industry consultation, recognized the value and contribution of the Quality Assurance Program and recommended strengthening it by increasing the number of inspection staff. To this end, the total complement of seasonal and full-time staff now numbers 40 individuals.
• In 1996, the Department of Fisheries and Aquaculture Quality Assurance Program was introduced.
• In 1999, a Government / Industry Working Group was formed to formulate a long term strategy on quality.

This new strategy included a series of workshops, videos and a cod grading pilot project to raise quality awareness throughout the industry.

• Contributions were received from the recent Federal/Provincial Cost Shared Agreement for the implementation of these quality-related projects.
• The Department’s operating budget committed $250,000 to hire twelve (12) temporary Fisheries Inspection Officers (in addition to the twenty-one (21) permanent and seasonal staff) to help complement the Quality Assurance Program.

Program Scope

• The Departmental inspection staff have undergone extensive training including quality grading certification and employ industry recognized standards/techniques to assess quality. On average, staff have conducted 6500-7000 inspections annually. These inspections provide assurances that the incoming raw material entering processing plants is of a predetermined level of quality which further enhances the value of the finished product. This ongoing commitment to monitor raw material landings and address issues directly with stakeholders has contributed significantly to both the landed and export values of the industry. Earnings for harvesters and processors have increased substantially through an improved quality awareness and consciousness created from this program and staff dedication.
• The focus of inspection activity has been broadened, since the program’s introduction to include:
  • landings by vessels,
  • the transport of raw material, and
  • ensuring quality in the pre-production areas of processing establishments.
• The Department conducted 6,000 to 7,000 inspections annually throughout the province. This complements the role of the Canadian Food Inspection Agency who monitor processing operations within a plant and conduct final product inspections for export markets.