WASHINGTON: The U.S. established additional protections for the national economy, global food security and the sustainability of shared ocean resources on Dec. 8. The National Oceanic & Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) Fisheries will administer the Seafood Import Monitoring Program to further curb illegal, unreported and unregulated (IUU) fishing practices and to identify misrepresented seafood imports before they enter the U.S. market.
The program requires that importers report information and maintain records about the harvest, landing and chain of custody of imported fish and fish products for certain priority species identified as especially vulnerable to IUU fishing and seafood fraud, NOAA said. The program will eventually expand to include all species.
“As a global leader in sustainable fisheries management and seafood consumption, the U.S. has a responsibility to combat illegal practices that undermine the sustainability of our shared ocean resources,” NOAA administrator Dr. Kathryn Sullivan said. “We designed this program to further ensure that imported seafood is legally harvested and truthfully represented, with minimal burden to our partners.”
“This rule is a critical step forward in combating IUU and seafood fraud. It sends an important message to the international seafood community that if you are open and transparent about the seafood you catch and sell across the supply chain, then the U.S. markets are open for your business,” added Catherine Novelli, undersecretary of state for economic growth, energy and the environment at the U.S. Department of State. “The rule will build on similar global efforts and will provide confidence to our consumers in the seafood they eat while also leveling the playing field for honest fishers across the globe who play by the rules.”
