Seafood Storage

Product	Purchased Commercially Frozen for Freezer Storage	Purchased Fresh & Home Frozen	Thawed; Never Frozen or Previously Frozen & Home Refrigerated
FISH FILLETS/STEAKS:
Lean:
Cod, Flounder	10-12 months	6-8 months	36 hours
Haddock, Halibut	10-12 months	6-8 months	36 hours
Pollock, Ocean Perch	8-9 months	4 months	36 hours
Sea Trout, Rockfish	8-9 months	4 months	36 hours
Pacific Ocean Perch	8-9 months	4 months	36 hours
Less Lean:
Mullet, Smelt	6-8 months	N/A	36 hours
Salmon (cleaned)	7-9 months	N/A	36 hours

SHELLFISH
Dungeness Crab	6 months	6 months	5 days
Snow Crab	6 months	6 months	5 days
Blue Crabmeat (fresh)	N/A	4 months	5-7 days
Blue Crabmeat (pasteurized)	N/A	N/A	6 months
Cocktail Claws	N/A	4 months	5 days
King Crab	12 months	9 months	7 days
Surimi Seafoods	10-12 months	9 months	2 weeks
Shrimp	9 months	5 months	4 days
Oysters, shucked	N/A	N/A	4-7 days
Clams, shucked	N/A	N/A	5 days
Lobster, live (storing/cooking)	N/A	N/A	1-2 days
Lobster, tailmeat	8 months	6 months	4-5 days

Footnotes:

N/A - not applicable or not advised.
These storage guidelines indicate optimal shelf life for seafood products held under proper refrigeration or freezing conditions. Temperature fluctuations in home refrigerators will affect optimal shelf life, as will opening and closing refrigerators and freezers often.
Although the above storage times ensure a fresh product for maximum refrigeration storage life at 32°F, the consumer should plan on using seafood within 36 hours for optimal quality and freshness of the product.
To determine approximate storage time for those species not listed, ask your retailer which category (lean, less lean, shellfish, breaded or smoked) they fall within and refer to the guide.

source: National Fisheries Institute