Product Offerings
Products:
Seafood Promotion: Shrimp, Crab, Oyster, Finfish
The Mississippi Seafood Marketing Program is an initiative operated under the Mississippi Department of Marine Resources (MDMR), strategically headquartered in Biloxi, Mississippi. This program is dedicated to promoting, supporting, and sustaining the commercial seafood industry of the Mississippi Gulf Coast through marketing, education, and advocacy. It plays a crucial role in linking local seafood producers and harvesters with regional, national, and international markets.
Core Mission and Focus
The program was established with the goal of increasing the visibility and demand for Mississippi's seafood products, ensuring that the state's rich marine resources are represented prominently in the global seafood economy. It functions not as a seafood processor or distributor but as a marketing and advocacy platform for:
- Wild-caught Gulf Shrimp
- Blue Crab
- Oysters (wild and farm-raised)
- Finfish (Red Drum, Flounder, Speckled Trout, etc.)
Strategic Objectives
- Market Expansion: Promote Mississippi seafood in both domestic and export markets.
- Consumer Awareness: Educate the public on the benefits of wild-caught, sustainable seafood.
- Industry Support: Provide branding and promotional support to local fishermen, processors, and seafood dealers.
Unique Strengths and Activities
- Gulf Seafood Trace Certification: Supports traceability and sustainability efforts that ensure Mississippi seafood is sourced responsibly.
- Collaborative Events and Campaigns: Engages in culinary events, seafood festivals, and regional trade shows to highlight local seafood.
- Marketing Resources: Offers free access to promotional materials, seafood photography, and usage of the "Mississippi Gulf Fresh Seafood" brand to qualified industry participants.
Economic and Industry Impact
- Mississippi’s commercial fishing industry lands over 340,000,000 pounds of seafood annually (NOAA Fisheries Data).
- The state ranks among the top U.S. producers of domestic wild-caught shrimp and oysters.
- The seafood industry in Mississippi contributes more than $377 million annually to the state economy, supporting over 7,000 jobs directly and indirectly (Mississippi-Alabama Sea Grant Consortium).
Target Audience
The program primarily targets:
- Seafood buyers and distributors
- Foodservice industry leaders
- Retailers and wholesalers
- Chefs, culinary influencers, and media
- Policy makers and sustainability stakeholders
Operational Capabilities
- Branding Tools: Provides marketing assets, logos, and promotional materials for use by licensed seafood businesses.
- Digital Promotion: Operates an educational and promotional website (msseafood.com) with directory listings, seafood recipes, and industry news.
- Collaboration with NOAA and USDA: Participates in regional seafood development programs and fishery assessments.
Certifications and Quality Assurance
While the Mississippi Seafood Marketing Program itself does not hold processing certifications, it promotes and supports:
- HACCP-compliant processing facilities
- Gulf Seafood Trace Certification
- FDA and USDA-inspected facilities among partners
Recognitions and Outreach
- Participates in prominent regional expos such as the Great American Seafood Cook-Off and the World Food Championships.
- Featured in Southern Living, Garden & Gun, and SeafoodSource for contributions to culinary heritage and sustainability.
- Recognized by Gulf States Marine Fisheries Commission for efforts in enhancing visibility of Gulf seafood.
The Mississippi Seafood Marketing Program acts as a vital link between the local seafood community and the global marketplace, championing the heritage, sustainability, and economic vitality of Mississippi’s Gulf seafood industry through strategic marketing and industry development efforts.