Georgia Seafood Summit Brings Industry Together for Learning, Connection

METTER, GA – As food labeling requirements and food safety standards continue to evolve, seafood businesses face an increasingly complex marketplace. At the same time, consumers are showing a growing preference for locally sourced and sustainably produced ingredients, creating new opportunities for seafood producers and processors who can clearly communicate quality, transparency and origin.

To support Georgia’s seafood industry in this changing landscape, UGA Marine Extension and Georgia Sea Grant, in partnership with Georgia Grown, will host the Georgia Seafood Summit on Feb. 24 from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. at the Georgia Grown Resource Center in Metter.

“Supporting Georgia’s seafood producers is a top priority for all of us at the Georgia Department of Agriculture,” said Georgia Agriculture Commissioner Tyler J Harper. “I’m proud that our Georgia Grown program is partnering with UGA Marine Extension to host the Georgia Seafood Summit. This event will provide our seafood producers with valuable guidance and resources as we work together to deliver top-quality products to Georgia consumers and strengthen our state’s number one industry—agriculture.”

The summit is designed to provide seafood producers, processors and industry service providers with practical information, real‑world perspectives and opportunities to connect across the seafood supply chain.

“Seafood businesses operate in a dynamic environment shaped by regulation, innovation and changing consumer preferences,” said Erin Arneson, seafood specialist with UGA Marine Extension and Georgia Sea Grant. “The Georgia Seafood Summit offers a space for industry members to learn, share experiences and build relationships that support long‑term success.”

During the summit, attendees will participate in sessions exploring emerging trends and technologies in seafood processing, how recent regulatory updates affect seafood operations, and practical strategies for meeting Food Safety Modernization Act (FSMA) requirements, including the FDA’s traceability rule. Discussions will also highlight the role of collaboration in building resilient seafood supply chains across Georgia and the region.

In addition to the full‑day summit, two related events will offer further opportunities for networking and professional development.

The Georgia Grown Social, a free networking event open to the public, will be held from 5 to 6:30 p.m. Tuesday, Feb. 24, at Ogeechee Technical College’s Jack Hill Atrium in Statesboro. Advance RSVP is required by Feb. 16. 

An optional, full‑day Sanitation Control Procedures training will be offered Wednesday, Feb. 25 at the Georgia Grown Resource Center. Developed by the Seafood HACCP Alliance, the course covers key sanitation and food safety practices aligned with FDA FSMA requirements. Participants who complete the training will receive a certificate of completion from the Association of Food and Drug Officials. 

There is no cost to attend the summit or the social, but registration is required. The Sanitation Control Procedures course fee is $130. For registration, details and additional information, visit https://gacoast.uga.edu/georgiaseafoodsummit/   

The Georgia Grown program, operated by the Georgia Department of Agriculture, is a marketing and economic development program that promotes and supports agricultural businesses, products, and communities. It aims to connect local producers to buyers and foster a sustainable, economically viable, and diverse agricultural sector in Georgia. Georgia Grown is a brand with deep roots in sustainability, quality, and integrity and is desired by businesses and consumers who want to buy and promote Georgia's locally grown products. To learn more, visit https://georgiagrown.com/. 

UGA Marine Extension and Georgia Sea Grant is a program committed to improving the environmental, social and economic health of the Georgia coast through research, education and extension. By serving as a bridge between scientists, local governments and marine industries, the program helps communities reduce risks to coastal resources through sustainable, science-based solutions. Extension staff connect university expertise with local needs, education staff promote coastal stewardship and workforce development, and research partners advance understanding of Georgia’s coastal and estuarine environments. Learn more at gacoast.uga.edu.