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.
Louisiana Fisheries Forward Summit Postponed until March 1, 2023
November 22, 2021Louisiana Sea Grant College Program at LSU announces that the Louisiana Fisheries Forward Summit is postponed until March 1, 2023. Normally held every two years, Summit is the state’s premier commercial fishing and seafood event that offers workshops, demonstrations, and expo. “It was a tough call to postpone, but Hurricane…
LDWF Announces Commercial Fishing License Sale Locations and Dates
November 18, 2021The Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries’ (LDWF) new Commercial License fee structure went into effect on November 15, 2021. Commercial fishermen are also reminded that most of their licenses can be renewed online at www.wlf.la.gov by clicking on “Buy A License”. However, due to changes enacted in the 2021 legislative session, some…
LDWF, LSU conducting hurricane damage survey for commercial seafood industry
November 10, 2021Was your marine fisheries/seafood business affected by Hurricane Ida, Laura, Delta or Zeta? Whether those impacts were large or small, we want to hear from you! The Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries has teamed up with LSU to develop a survey of commercial business losses from these storms. Please…
