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Seafood Demonstration Lab Field Day/Open House Nov. 9

Image: Seafood Processing Demonstration Lab Field Day flyer

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Seafood processors as well as commercial fishermen interested in becoming processors are invited to a field day/open house at the Louisiana Sea Grant/LSU AgCenter Seafood Processing Demonstration Lab on Nov. 9 from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., 603 LSU Bridge Road, Jeanerette. Those wanting to attend should register at https://lsu.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_e36wGhDWVXMtTXo.

The lab, located at the AgCenter’s Iberia Research Station, opened in July and is designed to provide small seafood processors with hands-on training with a variety of processing equipment. During the field day, attendees can learn more about processing equipment and programs to develop new product concepts.

“We want to show people the equipment they can use, how their facility can look and what are the minimum federal and state requirements,” said Evelyn Watts, LSG and AgCenter seafood technology specialist. “Our goal is to introduce local fishermen to commercializing their product in a cost-effective and compliant manner, ultimately bringing them more revenue.”

A large vacuum packing machine, shrimp splitter, meat grinder, fish skinner, flake ice machine, band saw, meat separator, freezers and scales are housed at the lab so fishermen can learn to use such equipment. “During the field day, you can come and stay for the day or just attend the sessions you’re interested in,” said Thomas Hymel, LSG and AgCenter marine extension agent and director of the Louisiana Fisheries Forward program.

Sessions during the day will include:

  • Refrigeration – including new equipment options and proper techniques
  • Seafood cleaning, cutting and grinding
  • Packaging and labeling
  • Freezing and storage

Lunch also will be provided.

“This is the first of its kind for seafood along the entire Gulf coast,” said Hymel about the lab. “It’s phenomenal. It offers mom-and-pop operators the opportunity to learn about how to get into the seafood processing business.”

For more information, Hymel can be reached at thymel@agcenter.lsu.edu. Watts can be reached at egwatts@agcenter.lsu.edu.