Louisiana Seafood Dealers & Processors
Louisiana is the number one producer of fish and shellfish in the contiguous U.S.; one out of every 70 jobs in the state is related to the seafood industry. Seafood dealers—or any one who buys or handles seafood that will be sold, or resold—play a critical role in producing a fresh and superior product.
Seafood is highly perishable, so handling throughout the supply chain is heavily regulated to ensure consumer safety. Wholesale/retail seafood dealers, and retail seafood dealers, must be familiar not only with LDWF regulations, but those of the LA Department of Health & Hospitals, LA Department of Agriculture, U.S. Food & Drug Administration (including HACCP plans), and the impacts of the Food Safety & Modernization Act.
The curriculum included here, put together by Louisiana Fisheries Forward, provides a detailed overview of rules that govern the handling, storage, processing and packaging of seafood products, licensing and permitting, regulatory inspection, and good manufacturing practices.
Be sure to check out the video, download our Fast Facts, and visit the resource links below for the full picture of how to be a successful dealer/processor.
Safety of Water
Clean Contact Surfaces
Prevent Cross-Contamination
Employee Health & Sanitation
Adulterant Protection/Toxic Compound Handling
Exclusion of Pests
Processors of fish and fishery products must develop and implement a Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Point (HACCP) system—a plan that identifies and addresses potential food safety hazards in their operations. In addition, processors should have and implement a written sanitation standard operating procedure (SSOP). These programs are monitored by LDH on behalf of the Food & Drug Administration.
Seafood HACCP Training Adapted Due to COVID-19
October 5, 2020Training in Hazard Analysis Critical Control Point (HACCP) is mandated for seafood processors, packers, wholesalers, importers, harvesters and warehouses by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA). Basic HACCP courses teach the principles of HACCP and empower processors to develop HACCP plans specific for each seafood product they handle or…
CARES Act Fund Applicants Should Verify they are Completing the Correct Application
September 29, 2020The Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries is alerting the public that there is only one LDWF application available for commercial fishing industry assistance via the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act. LDWF has been accepting applications since Sept. 14 from Louisiana commercial fishermen and others in the…
New Initiative Aims to Help Wholesale Dealers Find New Markets for Louisiana Seafood
September 5, 2020In an effort to improve the economic sustainability of the State’s seafood industry in light of COVID-19, the Louisiana Direct Seafood initiative is adding a wholesale directory to its website (LouisianaDirectSeafood.com/wholesale). Originally developed to help coastal fishermen and processors connect with consumers for fresh, wild-caught, Louisiana seafood products, the addition…
