The Louisiana seafood industry is worth $2.5 billion annually and supports one in every 70 jobs, making it a vital part of the state’s economy. However, lawmakers are taking action against imported seafood that they believe is harmful to local businesses and raises health concerns.
Randall Garvin, owner of Randall’s Captain Avery’s Seafood and Specialty Meats in Monroe, argues that imported seafood may be cheaper but it does not match the quality of seafood from the Gulf Coast. He emphasizes the importance of supporting local seafood to keep money in-state, help Gulf Coast businesses thrive, and provide fresher and higher quality seafood to consumers.
Despite the influx of uninspected foreign seafood entering the country, its impact on Louisiana fishermen is significant. Imported seafood is often sold at a much lower price than local produce, undercutting the clean produce provided by local fishermen. To address this issue, several bills have been passed by the Louisiana Legislature aimed at improving seafood safety and regulating imported seafood.
Act 756 transfers the Seafood Safety Task Force to the Department of Culture, Recreation, and Tourism to study ways to enhance seafood safety. Act 667 mandates that every seafood processor obtain a commercial seafood permit while Act 787 increases fees for imported seafood. Act 561 prohibits the use of imported seafood in school meals and Act 148 requires restaurants to label if they are using imported seafood.
Lawmakers hope that by allowing the FDA to eliminate harmful seafood, consumers will be encouraged to buy local and support the seafood industry in Louisiana. Ultimately prioritizing local
