Louisiana seafood certification program announced

If you adore Louisiana Seafood as much as we do at the Louisiana Restaurant Association (LRA), you know that it has a fresh flavor and quality like no other. The freshwater minerals from two major rivers—the Mississippi and Atchafalaya-combine with salt water from the Gulf, creates one of the most productive nutrient-rich natural habitats in the world.

"Louisiana restaurants have long served the bounty of fresh seafood from the rich waters of Louisiana and the Gulf, but until now, a certification program had not been developed," said Stan Harris, President/CEO of the LRA. "Shrimp, crab, oysters, crawfish and finfish have held prized positioning on restaurant menus and have been the ingredients for which Louisiana has become known for worldwide."

To help secure the prominence and favor of our seafood, the Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries (LDWF) introduces its new Louisiana Seafood Certification Program (LSCP). Chefs can now rest assured that if they are purchasing product with the LSCP logo on it, that the seafood was harvested by licensed Louisiana fishermen and processed and packed in Louisiana.  

 

The creation of a nationally recognized brand is the goal of the program which was designed to build a brand known for fresh flavor, consistent quality and safety. In order for a product to bear the LSCP logo it has to be caught in the Gulf of Mexico or Gulf Coast state waters by Louisiana licensed fishermen, landed in Louisiana and processed and packaged in Louisiana.

 

“While we know that our seafood is the best in the world, the development of the LSCP will help the world to know it is the best,” said Randy Pausina, LDWF Assistant Secretary. “We encourage consumers to look for the certification logo at their local grocers and restaurants to help support our local seafood community and to demand the very best!”

 

Participating wholesalers in the program have received advanced training on program guidelines; best-quality handing and sanitation practices and state and federal regulations. In addition, a strict chain-of-custody enforcement by the LDWF and the La. Depts. of Health and Hospitals and Agriculture and Forestry ensures proper control at every stage of the fishery process.

 

For restaurants, participating in the program has its advantages. Access to the logo to use in advertising, table tents, POS materials, fresh product displays and be listed on the Certified.LouisianaSeafood.com website as a registered supplier of this program are some of the benefits touted.

 

Enrolling is easy. A simple one-page form per store location and marking the box “yes” to allow allow LDWF to promote your business as a program participant is all it takes.

 

“Of course, you can always purchase Louisiana Certified Seafood without enrolling,” said Pausina. “But by participating, you get the additional exposure on the LDWF website and logo access to use in your promotions.”