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environmentally- and process-induced contamination of seafood. 

 Research efforts are also directed to improving the overall 

 quality of the U.S. seafood marketed domestically and 

 internationally. PQ&S research activities are conducted in NMFS 

 facilities located in Charleston, SC; Seattle, WA; Gloucester, 

 MA; Pascagoula, MS, and in a number of state and regional Sea 

 Grant programs. Sea Grant also conducts technology transfers in 

 this area. 



In carrying out its seafood safety programs, NOAA 

 coordinates extensively with the Food and Drug Administration 

 (FDA) . Formal coordination includes separate memoranda of 

 understanding for inspection, research, and molluscan shellfish. 

 In addition, NOAA has significant interactions with the 

 Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and state public health and 

 fisheries agencies and universities with respect to seafood 

 safety matters. 



I will briefly outline the areas of emphasis in NOAA's PQ&S 

 research program and provide examples of our activities in each 

 area. 



1. Develop processing methods that limit process-induced 

 and environmental safety hazards in seafood. 



