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 - 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.