International sourcing and East Coast seafood processors

The sourcing behaviour of 308 seafood processors (NAICS 3117) located along the eastern seaboard of the USA from Maine to Florida is investigated, and the differences between those using domestic sourcing versus those using international sourcing are investigated. The results indicate significant differences exist in terms of the place where the seafood is purchased, how it is harvested, gross sales, the number of employees, years in business, the type of processed seafood, and the perception of foreign-processed seafood as an industry problem. Processors utilising international sourcing are larger in terms of gross sales and the number of employees compared to processors using domestic sourcing. Conclusions and directions for future research are offered.