Seafood

Seafood industry

The total gross value of Australian fisheries production is more than $2.1 billion in 2009-2010 (Source: Abares, ACS_2010_Fisheries_Tables; accessed 23/1/2012).

NSW commercial fishing is worth more than $90 million annually at first point of sale. Value adding by fishing cooperatives, wholesalers, processors, retailers and restaurants make commercial fishing an important regional industry (source: NSW Fisheries).

Food safety requirements

General

The NSW seafood industry is regulated by the Food Act 2003 (NSW) and Food Regulation 2010.  

The Food Act brings into force the Food Standards Code and seafood businesses must comply with relevant parts.

The Food Regulation brings into force extra requirements for specific seafood businesses, some of which need to develop a Food Safety Program.

All businesses that process, pack, store and transport seafood, seafood wholesalers, fishing vessels that handle seafood after catch, and aquaculture businesses for oysters, fish and crustacea are required to hold an Authority licence to operate. All other NSW food businesses are required to notify the NSW Food Authority of their business details.

Requirements & guides for specific business types

• NSW Food Safety Schemes Manual pdf, 358 KB

Shellfish harvesters must comply with the NSW Shellfish Program.

For other specific seafood businesses:

• General Circular 04/2010 regulatory responsibility for seafood processers that export (pdf, 29KB)  
• General Circular 03/2008 food safety program and auditing requirements (pdf, 62KB) 
• Seafood retailers guideline
  • 幫助出售安全、衛生海產品的有用資訊
  • Góp tay báo quán an toàn hái sán trong mua bán
• Guidelines for the Wet Storage of Wild Shellfish (pdf 129 KB)

Factsheets and related information

• Australian Fish Names List (Seafood Services Australia site)
• Escolar and Oilfish, Be aware when purchasing or selling (pdf, 627KB) 
• Labelling - General requirements (pdf, 44KB)
• Labelling - Country of origin (pdf, 57KB)
• Labelling requirements for unpackaged seafood (pdf, 42KB)
• Controlling histamine fish poisoning (pdf, 39KB)
• List of factsheets from the Authority for businesses

Food Safety Program templates

• General Guidelines for the development & implementation of a Food Safety Program (pdf, 220KB)

Seafood processors and stores, seafood smoking

• Food Safety Program for seafood processing (pdf, 561KB)    

Non-shellfish aquaculture

• Food Safety Program for aquaculture - live and whole chilled fish (pdf, 602KB)
• Food Safety Program for aquaculture - prawns (pdf, 364KB)

Shellfish harvesters and processors

• See: NSW shellfish program

Licence application forms

• for seafood business (excluding shellfish) (LIC006) pdf, 144 KB
• for food transport vehicles (LIC007) pdf, 135 KB