311710 - Seafood Product Preparation and Packaging
The seafood industry plays a vital role in global food supply chains, and at the heart of this sector lies NAICS code 311710 — Seafood Product Preparation and Packaging. Whether you're an entrepreneur, government contractor, or industry enthusiast, understanding this NAICS code is essential for navigating manufacturing opportunities related to seafood. This detailed guide unpacks everything you need to know about NAICS 311710, from its scope and sector to typical business activities and eligibility standards.
What is NAICS Code 311710?
NAICS 311710 refers to establishments primarily engaged in the preparation and packaging of seafood products. This industry includes the processing of fish, shellfish, and other marine animals into frozen, canned, cured, or otherwise preserved products ready for distribution and sale. Key operations involve cleaning, filleting, freezing, curing, and packaging.
Key Highlights:
- Industry focus: Preparing and packaging seafood products
- Processes involved: Cleaning, filleting, freezing, curing, canning
- End products: Frozen seafood, canned seafood, cured fish products, surimi, seafood dinners, and more
Sector: Manufacturing
NAICS 311710 falls under the Manufacturing sector, which encompasses businesses that transform raw materials into finished goods. Seafood product preparation involves significant manufacturing processes, including preservation, packaging, and sometimes creating ready-to-eat or ready-to-cook seafood meals.
Typical Business Activities under NAICS 311710
Businesses classified under this NAICS code engage in a variety of seafood-related manufacturing processes, such as:
- Fish and seafood canning
- Frozen seafood processing and packaging
- Curing, drying, pickling, salting, and smoking fish and shellfish
- Extracting crude cod liver oil
- Manufacturing seafood dinners and chowders
- Processing seaweed like dulse
- Floating factory ships for seafood processing
- Producing fish meal and marine animal oils
Size Standards for Small Business Eligibility
For federal contracting and compliance purposes, the SBA sets size standards for businesses under NAICS 311710.
- Employee threshold: Typically, businesses with 750 or fewer employees qualify as small businesses under this code.
- Eligibility may vary depending on specific government contract requirements.
Examples of Businesses Using NAICS 311710
- Seafood Canneries: Facilities specializing in canning fish, crustaceans, and mollusks.
- Frozen Seafood Manufacturers: Companies processing and freezing seafood into block fillets or ready-to-serve portions.
- Shellfish Packers: Businesses cleaning, shucking, and packing fresh shellfish for retail distribution.
- Surimi Producers: Firms manufacturing processed seafood products like surimi.
NAICS Code 311710 - Detailed Code Activities Table
| Activity Description | Keywords & Examples |
|---|---|
| Cannery, seafood | Seafood canning, fish and shellfish packing |
| Canning, fish, crustacea, and mollusks | Crustacean and mollusk canning |
| Chowders, seafood, manufacturing | Seafood soups and chowders manufacturing |
| Cod liver oil extraction, crude processing | Fish oil extraction |
| Curing fish and seafood | Smoking, salting, pickling, and drying fish |
| Dinners, frozen seafood, manufacturing | Ready-to-eat frozen seafood meals |
| Drying fish and seafood | Dehydration of fish and seafood |
| Fish and marine animal oils processing | Processing fish oils |
| Fish egg bait canning | Canning fish eggs for bait |
| Fish freezing (blocks, fillets, ready-to-serve) | Frozen fish fillets and block freezing |
| Fish manufacturing | General fish product manufacturing |
| Fish meal processing | Producing fish meal for animal feed and fertilizers |
| Fish, curing, drying, pickling, salting, smoking | Various preservation techniques |
| Floating factory ships processing | Onboard seafood processing |
| Freezing fish (blocks, fillets, ready-to-serve) | Cold storage and freezing |
| Picking crab meat | Processing and packaging crab meat |
| Seafood and seafood products canning | Seafood canning operations |
| Seafood and seafood products curing | Preservation of seafood products |
| Seafood and seafood products manufacturing | General seafood product manufacturing |
| Seafood dinners, frozen, manufacturing | Frozen prepared seafood dinners |
| Seaweed processing (e.g., dulse) | Processing edible seaweed |
| Shellfish and shellfish products canning | Canning oysters, clams, and other shellfish |
| Shellfish and shellfish products manufacturing | Shellfish product production |
| Shellfish curing | Preserving shellfish by curing |
| Shucking and packing fresh shellfish | Extracting shellfish meat and packaging |
| Soups, seafood, manufacturing | Seafood soup production |
| Surimi manufacturing | Processed seafood paste manufacturing |
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
What types of seafood products are covered under NAICS 311710?
This code includes processed seafood products such as canned fish and shellfish, frozen fish fillets, cured fish products, seafood dinners, and surimi.
Does NAICS 311710 include only seafood manufacturers or also distributors?
It primarily covers manufacturers engaged in preparation and packaging. Distributors and wholesalers belong to different NAICS codes.
What is the maximum employee size for small business status under NAICS 311710?
The SBA size standard is typically 750 employees or fewer.
Are floating factory ships included in this NAICS code?
Yes, floating factory ships engaged in seafood processing fall under NAICS 311710.
How can I verify if my seafood processing business falls under this NAICS code?
Review your business activities against the detailed list provided above or consult the NAICS official website for specifics.
Conclusion
NAICS code 311710 - Seafood Product Preparation and Packaging is a crucial classification for businesses involved in transforming raw seafood into market-ready products through manufacturing processes such as canning, freezing, curing, and packaging. Whether you're looking to engage in government contracts, start a seafood processing venture, or understand the sector better, familiarity with this NAICS code and its details is invaluable.
With a broad scope encompassing everything from fish canning to surimi manufacturing and strict employee size standards, NAICS 311710 offers a clear framework for seafood manufacturers in the competitive and vital food production sector.
Optimize your seafood manufacturing business for success by understanding your NAICS classification and leveraging available opportunities within the manufacturing sector.
