Help Shape the Future of Live Seafood Transport: Share your Insights on Standards and Regulations

 

Transporting live seafood by air involves intricate logistics to ensure the products arrive in optimal condition while meeting regulatory and environmental standards. The process begins with proper packaging to maintain water quality, temperature, and oxygen levels critical for the survival of live seafood during transit. Airlines must coordinate with shippers to ensure the use of appropriate special handling codes and prioritize shipments for quick transfer to minimize delays.

Dedicated facilities and trained personnel are required to handle live seafood with care, adhering to veterinary and biosecurity checks at departure and arrival points. Additionally, airlines often implement specialized processes, such as using checklists to streamline operations. Close collaboration between freight forwarders, airlines, regulatory authorities, and aquaculture producers is essential to address challenges such as varied handling standards, customs clearance, and the integration of sustainability practices throughout the supply chain.

Today, there are several challenges with transporting live seafood that require attention. Oftentimes, there is difficulty with the enforcement of regulations as shipments are separated into different cargo terminals, complicating compliance with the IATA Live Animals Regulations (LAR). Airlines encounter operational issues, such as the complexity with using multiple special handling codes and inconsistencies in how live seafood is categorized and processed. These gaps risk misdirecting live seafood to improper facilities, raising concerns about welfare, regulatory compliance, and storage conditions. Streamlined processes and clear guidelines are needed to navigate the complexities of cargo handling and improve operational efficiency.

Your feedback is crucial to refining these standards and putting in place effective, practical solutions.