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.
Hurricane Ida and Other Storm Recovery Resources
September 6, 2021The Louisiana Hurricane Resources Web site, hosted by the Louisiana Sea Grant College Program, provides visitors with access to a wealth of data concerning storm preparedness and recovery, as well as archived information about Hurricanes Katrina and Rita. Click here to visit the website.
LDWF Warns Public of Potential Fish Kills Due to Hurricane Ida
September 4, 2021The Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries (LDWF) says it will investigate each one of the substantial fish kills it predicts throughout southeast Louisiana in the aftermath of Hurricane Ida. Hurricane-related fish kills are generally caused by low dissolved oxygen (DO), and can occur from landfall of the storm until weeks after the…
LDWF Extends public comment period on draft ‘Louisiana 2019 Flood Disaster Spend Plan’ to August 15
July 26, 2021The Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries (LDWF) is seeking public comment from all stakeholders regarding its draft “Louisiana 2019 Flood Disaster Grant Application and Spend Plan.” In 2019, extensive freshwater flooding caused significant impacts to coastal resources including oysters, shrimp, blue crab, and finfish. The economic impact to the…
