Louisiana lawmakers are taking action against imported seafood they believe is harmful to local businesses and raises health concerns. With Louisiana’s seafood industry having an economic impact of $2.5 billion a year and one in every 70 jobs related to the industry, state and federal politicians are reevaluating seafood from foreign countries.
Randall Garvin, owner of Randall’s Captain Avery’s Seafood and Specialty Meats in Monroe, points out that while imported seafood is cheaper, it is not the same quality as seafood from the Gulf Coast. Garvin emphasizes the importance of supporting local seafood to keep money in-state, support Gulf Coast businesses, and provide fresher and higher quality seafood to consumers.
Despite the influx of uninspected foreign seafood entering the country, the impact on Louisiana fishermen is significant. Imported seafood is often sold at a much lower price, undercutting the clean produce provided by local fishermen. In response, the Louisiana Legislature passed several bills aimed at improving seafood safety and regulating imported seafood.
These bills include Act 756, which 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 seafood can help ensure the safety and integrity of the food supply chain.