In 2004 there were over 550 processing factories in the UK, employing over 20,000 full time equivalent employees.

A suppliers database listing UK merchants, wholesalers and processors is available at www.seafish.org. It contains details of the lines they sell and the various product-forms they handle.

Seafood processing is classed as either:

. • Primary (cutting, filleting, peeling, washing, chilling, packaging, heading and gutting) or

. • Secondary (brining, smoking, cooking, freezing, canning, , breading, battering, vacuum & controlled atmosphere packaging and the production of ready meals).

Seafish operates Processor and Wholesaler Quality Award schemes which recognise high standards in seafood production and distribution. For more information see www.seafish.org.