Students holding food

Seafood Entry Point

More than a podcast. Your starting point.

Looking to start a business in seafood?

We're here to help.

The Seafood Entry Point is designed for people who want to build, grow, or explore a career or business in the seafood sector. 

We take a practical, hands-on approach to learning by:

  • sharing real-world insights
  • providing clear guidance
  • creating useful tools that help you move from idea to action

Whether you're harvesting, farming, processing, or supporting the industry in other ways, this platform connects you to the knowledge and resources you need to move forward. 

This a growing resource hub built to support you at every stage.

Close up photo of a student holding an oyster
A pile of seaweed in the culinary kitchen

Explore the Seafood Entry Point

Entrepreneurs climbing the stairs at Deep Bay Marine Field Station

Why seafood matters

Seafood plays a vital role in Canada’s coastal communities

Seafood supports local economies, creates jobs, and sustains small businesses across the country. For many First Nations communities, seafood is also deeply connected to culture, identity, and traditional ways of life. 

The seafood industry is also evolving. There are new challenges and opportunities arising from changing markets, resource availability, and consumer demands for sustainable practices. 

The seafood industry needs more accessible pathways into the sector and better support for those working within it. 

Our role

The Seafood Entry Point is a Vancouver Island University initiative that part of the Sustainable Food Systems for Canada (SF4C) network.

This work contributes to a broader national effort to strengthen Canada’s agri-food sector through innovation, training, and collaboration. At VIU, our focus is on applied, hands-on learning that supports real people building real businesses.

 

What we offer

Practical learning

We focus on what matters when building a business: 

  • Getting started in the industry  
  • Understanding regulations and requirements  
  • Planning and managing a business  
  • Accessing funding and resources  
  • Identifying opportunities for growth and innovation  

Real-world perspectives

Through our podcast, we share: 

  • Conversations with harvesters, farmers, processors, and industry experts  
  • Honest insights into challenges, risks, and opportunities  
  • Lessons learned from people doing the work

Clear pathways

We break down complex topics into simple, usable information to help you understand: 

  • Where to start  
  • What steps to take next  
  • How to navigate the system