Aquatic Animals

The National Aquatic Animal Health Program (NAAHP) is a science-based regulatory program for aquatic animal diseases which have been designated reportable or notifiable in Canada because of their potential impact on trade, the economy and animal health.

The CFIA is working closely with Fisheries and Oceans Canada (DFO) to deliver the NAAHP. Currently, changes to the CFIA's regulations are in development to fully incorporate aquatic animals. Until these changes are completed, DFO's Fish Health Protection Regulations and related aquatic animal health disease control measures remain in effect.

In order to receive updates on the proposed changes to the Health of Animals Regulations, please sign up to the Aquatic Animal Health e-mail subscription list.

CFIA activities include:

• protecting the health of our aquatic animal resources;
• maintaining a list of aquatic animal diseases and databases;
• ensuring early detection of aquatic animal diseases through surveillance and monitoring programs;
• controlling and eradicating aquatic animal diseases;
• establishing import requirements and issuing import permits;
• providing export certification, sustaining existing export market access and developing new trade opportunities.
• providing risk assessments in support of policy decisions

The key acts and regulations we enforce are:

• Health of Animals Act
  • Health of Animals Regulations

Information we provide for the general public includes:

• Program Overview

Information we provide for the aquatic animal industry includes:

• Containment Standards for Facilities handling Aquatic Animal pathogens
• Disease Control
  • Biosecurity
  • Infectious Salmon Anemia (ISA)
  • Viral Haemorrhagic Septicaemia (VHS)
• Imports
• Exports

Additional government and industry information can be found at:

• Fisheries and Oceans Canada