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Home > Current News > 2004

News: 2004

Seafood Industry Community Policing Initiative Begins
Posted: 9/10/04

Ensuring that all fish and seafood products are legally harvested, documented, sold and purchased is the responsibility of the Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries' Enforcement Division. Beginning Sept. 13, 2004, wildlife agent inspections will include an educational component to help seafood dealers understand their responsibilities.

As part of each dealer inspection, enforcement agents will hand out a one-page information sheet titled, "Seafood Dealers Quick Guide to an Inspection." The guide lists the items all seafood handlers must have available for inspection and additional requirements wholesale/retail seafood dealers must meet when asked for documentation.

A seafood dealer inspection may take place at a wholesale or retail outlet, restaurant, vehicle or any other location where seafood products are purchased or sold. Agents check for compliance to seasonal dates for species in possession, as well as size requirements, documentation of transactions, proper licensing and public health requirements.

"We want to ensure that those in the seafood business are familiar with the inspection process and are complying with the regulations of our state fishing industry," said LDWF Secretary Dwight Landreneau. "The purpose of these September visits is to provide dealers with useful information and establish a good working relationship as well."

Louisiana's commercial seafood industry has an economic impact of more than $2.7 billion annually to the state. More than 27,000 jobs are supported by the state's seafood industry, including more than 1,700 wholesale seafood dealers and 1,000 retail seafood dealers. Those businesses are the funnel points for the more than 1.2 billion pounds of finfish, shellfish and crustaceans harvested and sold annually.

The foundations of fishery management plans are dependent upon sound regulation and the ability to maintain acceptable levels of compliance. The role of law enforcement in the fishery management process is to provide guidance, ensure effectiveness, maintain consistency and enforceability of regulations, and protect and conserve natural resources for the safe use and enjoyment of present and future generations.

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