Related Websites
Below is a list of useful links for the commercial seafood industry. Links cover a variety of agencies and resources available to commercial fishermen and fishing businesses.
Federal Programs/Agencies
National Marine Fisheries Service
http://www.nmfs.noaa.gov/
Information on federal fisheries management.
South Atlantic Fishery Management Council
http://www.safmc.net/
Agency responsible for the management of fisheries in federal waters from NC, SC, GA and the east coast of FL.
US Department of Agriculture Rural Business Development
http://www.rurdev.usda.gov/rbs/index.html
Information on grant and loan programs available to small businesses – including fishing businesses.
US Department of Agriculture Trade Adjustment Assistance
http://www.fas.usda.gov/itp/taa/factsheet.htm
Information on programs for US products that are impacted by trade practices from imported products.
US Federal Register
http://www.gpoaccess.gov/fr/index.html
Website with links to the daily activities of all federal agencies. Ones to check regularly include Department of Commerce, NOAA and International Trade Commission.
AgSouth Farm Credit
http://www.agsouthfc.com/
Information on loan programs available to fishermen.
State Programs/Agencies
SC Department of Natural Resources
http://www.dnr.sc.gov
Information on the management of commercial fisheries in SC as well as information on obtaining appropriate commercial fishing and wholesale seafood dealers licensing.
SC Department of Agriculture (SCDA)
http://agriculture.sc.gov/
Information about the state’s agriculture department and how the seafood industry can become involved in their marketing and branding programs.
SCDA Certified South Carolina program
https://www.certifiedscgrown.com/
The place to learn about and sign up for the SCDA’s branding program for all products grown or harvested in SC – including seafood!
SC MarketMaker
http://www.SCMarketMaker.com
The state’s newest web-based marketing tool helping both producers and consumers promoting, buy and sell all agricultural and seafood products from SC.
SC Employment Security Commission
http://www.sces.org
Information on workforce services.
SC Small Business Administration
http://www.sba.gov/sc/
Information and resources on how to help small businesses start, grow and succeed.
SC Service Corps of Retired Executives (SCORE)
http://www.sciway.net/econ/score.html
A group of retired business executives that offer free business planning and training assistance to non-profits and other industry groups.
Clemson University Small Business Development Center
http://www.clemson.edu/sbdc/
University-based research resources on developing small businesses in SC.
SC Sea Grant Consortium
http://www.scseagrant.org/
Consortium of state University’s that conduct research and outreach programs to enhance the practical use and conservation of SC’s coastal and marine resources to foster a sustainable economy and environment. Fisheries Extension is one of their core program areas.
Sustainable Seafood Initiative
http://www.scaquarium.org/ssi/default.html
A program of the SC Aquarium designed to promote the use of local and sustainable seafood in South Carolina’s restaurants.
Industry Organizations/Associations
SC Seafood Alliance
http://www.scseafood.org/
Seafood industry organization with a mission to preserve and promote the local seafood, aquaculture, and mariculture industries and their heritage.
SC Shrimper’s Association Marketing Board
http://www.scshrimpmkt.com/
The marketing branch of the SC Shrimper’s Association that helps promote SC shrimp as a quality product.
Southern Shrimp Alliance
http://www.shrimpalliance.com/index.htm
Regional shrimp industry organization representing the industry from NC through TX to maintain the industry’s future through trade action dealing with imported shrimp.
Wild American Shrimp, Inc.
http://www.wildamericanshrimp.com/main.html
Shrimp industry-wide marketing organization promoting domestic shrimp through stringent quality standards and certification program.