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From Ocean to Table: The Seafood Journey

Author

Marketing

Published on:

January 17, 2025

Published in:

Food Safety, Industry Trends & Insights, Uncategorized

Have you ever wondered how your seafood reaches your plate? From the moment it’s caught or farmed to when it’s served, seafood embarks on an intricate journey. In fact, understanding this process not only fosters appreciation but also highlights the importance of sustainability and traceability in the seafood supply chain.

Catching or Farming: Where It All Starts

Seafood originates from two primary sources: wild-caught fisheries and aquaculture (fish farming).

Wild-caught seafood is harvested directly from oceans, rivers, and lakes. Fisheries employ various methods such as longlining, trawling, and pole-and-line fishing. Sustainable practices are critical at this stage to prevent overfishing and protect marine ecosystems.

Aquaculture, or fish farming, has gained prominence as a sustainable alternative to meet growing seafood demand. Moreover, innovative methods like Recirculating Aquaculture Systems (RAS) and Integrated Multi-Trophic Aquaculture (IMTA) ensure high-quality seafood while minimizing environmental impact.

Aquaculture produces over 50% of the world's seafood, making it the fastest-growing method of food production globally.

Processing and Preserving Freshness

Once harvested, seafood moves quickly to processing facilities. Here, it is cleaned, filleted, and often frozen using advanced techniques like Individually Quick Frozen (IQF). These methods lock in freshness, flavor, and nutrients, ensuring seafood maintains its quality throughout its journey.

Also, quality control is essential at this stage. Rigorous inspections and certifications guarantee that only safe, premium seafood enters the market.

Traceability and Transparency

In today’s market, traceability is a cornerstone of the seafood industry. Advanced technologies like blockchain, such as those offered by Wholechain, empower consumers to track their seafood from the source to the store. By scanning a QR code on the package, customers can track each movement along the supply chain and gain valuable insights about quality and efficiency, ensuring transparency and trust at every step.

Sustainable Distribution: Cold Chain Logistics

Transporting seafood requires maintaining strict temperature controls to preserve freshness. Cold chain logistics ensure that seafood remains at optimal temperatures from processing plants to grocery stores or restaurants. This system reduces food waste and upholds the quality of the product.

At True Grade, we integrate eco-friendly practices such as optimized shipping routes and carbon offset programs into our seafood supply chains to ensure sustainability and minimize environmental impact.

The Final Destination: Your Plate

Lastly, the journey culminates with the consumer. From chefs in high-end restaurants to home cooks, everyone plays a role in honoring the effort behind seafood’s journey. By choosing sustainable and traceable seafood, you support ethical practices and contribute to a healthier planet.

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