Seafood Processing
The seafood industry in Wales has been selected as a key sector for support through Welsh Government’s Action Plan for the food and drink industry, Towards Sustainable Growth 2014 – 2020.
Wales has a processing sector made up of approximately 60 businesses based throughout Wales. The main processing activity is adding value to shellfish landed in Wales, with crab, whelk, mussels and cockles being processed in the largest volume.
Seafood processing and adding value to fisheries products is a growing sector in Wales. The following links provide information relating to support and requirements of the processing sector in Wales.
General Welsh Government Information
Food and Drink Wales – Fisheries Key Sector
Information and Statistics
Understanding the Welsh Seafood Supply Chain
Marine Management Organisation
The Marine Management Organisation acts as the main point of information for UK statistics of commercial fisheries within the UK. The following link provides information relating to both monthly and annual statistics.
Fisheries and Conservation Science Group at Bangor University
Research and reports in relation to Welsh and neighbouring fisheries are available through the Fisheries and Conservation Science Group at Bangor University.
Seafish Industry Authority
UK statistical information with regard to commercial fishing and the wider industry can be accessed through Seafish Industry Authority.
Food Safety and Hygiene
Food safety within the food processing sector in Wales is a legislative requirement. Your first point of contact if establishing a seafood processing business is your local Environmental Health Officer.
Welsh Local Government Association
It is important to involve local officials at an early stage of your planning and they can be contacted via the following main contact numbers depending on your local authority area.
Food Standards Agency
The Food Standards Agency is the responsible agency within the UK for food safety. If setting up a business in Wales, their ‘starting a food business’ webpage is a one-stop-shop resource:
Food Innovation Wales
Support with regard to food safety is provided by the three Food Technology Centres in Wales.
It is important to note the guidance and requirements for hygienic processing of shellfish and fish products. The FSA provides guidance on this and the following links provide information at UK and Wales level:
Food Standards Agency: Fish and shellfish
Food Standards Agency in Wales
Food Standards Agency: Shellfish hygiene - Wales
It is important that you understand the source of your shellfish and the legal requirements relating to safety such as toxicity. Information with regard to hand gathered species can be found on here (link to page)
Business Support and Processing Information
Welsh Government Seafood Cluster
Welsh Government supports a cluster development approach to the seafood sector in Wales. For more information on opportunities through the Welsh Seafood Cluster, please see link above.
Seafish Industry Authority in the responsible body supporting the development of a profitable, sustainable and socially responsible seafood industry in the UK. Seafish provides a number of initiatives to processors in relation to responsible sourcing and processing:
Seafish Risk Assessment for Sourcing Seafood (RASS)
Seafish Responsible Sourcing Information
Seafish Responsible Fishing Scheme (RFS)
Seafish Research and Economics
For funding and business development information please click here
Stakeholder Groups
Wales Marine and Fisheries Advisory Group
The Wales Marine and Fisheries Advisory Group provides interaction between Welsh Government Ministers and user interests relating to marine fisheries in Wales
Seafish Wales Advisory Committee
West Wales Shell Fishermen’s Association