List of Canadian Acceptable Common Names for Fish and Seafood
The "List of Canadian Acceptable Common Names for Fish and
Seafood" is a repository of English and French common names for fish and seafood
which are acceptable for use in Canada. The database, linked below, provides the
English and French names which may be used for a particular specie, which is
identified by scientific name.
A Help screen and search tips regarding use of the Fish List are
available from the main search screen.
Note to Exporters: It is the exporter’s responsibility to
ensure that the common name(s) selected for the fish species you are exporting
is (are) acceptable to the authorities responsible for fish nomenclature in the
importing country. This can be done by contacting the consular office of the
importing country or by requesting confirmation of the acceptability of the
common name from your foreign importer.
No French name specified - none applicable found in
references. When acceptable names are identified, they will be added to the Fish
List.
Criteria for assigning new common names - this information
is extracted from Fish Products Inspection Manual Bulletin 26
Common names for fish in Canada will be determined in accordance with the Canadian values of fairness and honesty in the marketing of fish.
The scientific name of the fish will be provided to the CFIA by the person applying for a new acceptable common name. Proposed common names provided by the applicants will be given full consideration by the CFIA.
The CFIA is responsible to conduct research regarding common names applied to a species. Various applicable reference sources will be consulted and an acceptable common name will be selected subject to the following guidelines:
- the new common name has not previously been used for another species
(as identified in "The Canadian Fish List");
- the new common name is not similar to, and does not resemble the name,
of a fish having a higher market value than the fish being reviewed;
- whenever possible, the new common name is harmonized with the names
assigned to this species by the ministère de l'Agriculture, des Pêcheries et
de l'Alimentation du Québec - MAPAQ (Pêches - Terminologie - Noms des
espèces halieutiques à potentiel commercial au Québec) and the United States
Food and Drug Administration - USFDA (The Seafood List);
- it is recognized that MAPAQ guidance will be the primary reference in
determination of acceptable common names in French;
- where the common name proposed by the applicant is not contrary to
current policy, and is similar to the name for that species found in
references, the proposed name will become the acceptable common name;
- the name of the geographic location where the fish have been harvested
may be added to the common name of the fish (e.g., Southwest Atlantic hake);
- Canadian trade interests will be considered in determining acceptable
common names.
For the name, address and phone number of the contact at the Fish , Seafood
and Production Division of the Canadian Food Inspection Agency go to the Contact
Page
| 
