While implementing the action plan, NOAA will continue to support the industry to minimize disruptions in seafood supply chains, reduce compliance challenges, identify supply chain risks, and increase confidence in the process. NOAA Administrator and Undersecretary of Commerce for Oceans and Atmosphere Dr. Richard Spinrad states, “Our goals are to strengthen the US domestic seafood industry by promoting fair trade practices in the global seafood supply chain while building capacity to maintain and grow the Program. Once implemented, the changes to our Seafood Import Monitoring Program that NOAA is announcing will fundamentally improve our ability to prevent and deter IUU fish and fish products from entering our market and will contribute to US government efforts to address labor abuses in the seafood supply chain.”
Key Action Plan Goals
NOAA will begin to implement parts of its action plan now, while other components will take more time. “NOAA Fisheries remains committed to implementing an impactful tool in the fight against illegal, unreported, and unregulated fishing while upholding the integrity of US seafood imports,” said Alexa Cole, Director of the Office of International Affairs, Trade, and Commerce at NOAA Fisheries. Throughout this process, the existing SIMP requirements and reporting obligations will remain in effect. The actions outlined in the plan aim to achieve several key goals:
Enhance NOAA Fisheries’ Ability to Combat IUU Fishing Through Improved Traceability and Risk Detection, Strengthening the Sustainability of Seafood Globally
NOAA aims to improve seafood traceability and prevent IUU fish and fish products from entering US markets. Key planned actions include:
- Expanding SIMP traceability requirements to all US seafood imports by creating a two-tier system that prioritizes species based on their risk level
- Enabling pre-entry screening of SIMP imports
- Developing a pilot program for a voluntary government-to-government import data program
Contribute to Government-Wide Efforts to Address Forced Labor in the Global Seafood Supply Chain
NOAA will work with partner agencies to take a more proactive approach to identify and prevent products produced with forced labor from entering the US market. This includes:
- Strengthening partnerships with US Customs and Border Protection and the Department of Labor
- Collecting additional data to address forced labor risks in seafood supply chains
“With improved data sharing, transparency, and traceability, SIMP will elevate US Customs and Border Protection’s ability to protect the US economy, global food security, and the sustainability of our shared ocean resources to a new level. Having more information about seafood shipments earlier in the process will also strengthen our efforts to combat forced labor in the global seafood supply chain,” said AnnMarie R. Highsmith, Executive Assistant Commissioner of US Customs and Border Protection’s Office of Trade.
Strengthen the Integrity and Fairness of Global Seafood Supply Chains by Promoting Fair Seafood Trade Practices Around the World
To promote fair trade, the program will address administrative challenges and simplify reporting procedures. This includes:
- Updating permitting and reporting procedures
- Modifying current data requirements
- Developing additional SIMP compliance materials
- Modernizing the National Permit System
Improve Implementation and Build Capacity to Maintain and Grow the Program
NOAA is strengthening our internal operations by stabilizing and expanding the program team and enhancing data systems to better process and analyze seafood import information. These improvements will increase the program’s ability to identify risks and conduct more thorough reviews.
“The NOAA Fisheries action plan serves as a roadmap to bolster and enhance SIMP. NOAA is fully committed to strengthening confidence in the process, driving greater transparency, and maximizing its overall effectiveness,” says Janet Coit, NOAA Fisheries Assistant Administrator.
