Farmed abalone. (Photo: NOAA)
NOAA proposes farmed shrimp and abalone traceability programme regulation
UNITED STATES
Friday, October 12, 2018, 03:00 (GMT + 9)
NOAA Fisheries has issued a proposed regulation to implement the first-ever traceability program for US farmed shrimp and abalone and has opened a public comment period to receive opinions on the regulation.
The regulation establishes comparable reporting requirements to those required for imported seafood products under the Seafood Import Monitoring Program (SIMP).
It must be noted that Congress directed the Secretary of Commerce to establish a domestic traceability program for US aquaculture of shrimp and abalone from point of production to entry into US commerce, by December 31, 2018.
SIMP and the traceability system it established facilitates better data collection and retention, sharing, and analysis among relevant regulators and enforcement authorities for imported seafood—marking a significant step forward for addressing illegal, unregulated, and unreported (IUU) fishing and seafood fraud.
Establishing comparable requirements for domestic aquacultured shrimp and abalone allows imports of shrimp and abalone to be subject to SIMP requirements— further leveling the playing field for US fishermen, aquaculture producers, and seafood producers who play by the rules.
NOAA Fisheries restates its commitment to working closely with US aquaculture producers to develop a program that provides the necessary comparable data while reducing stakeholders’ compliance burden to the maximum extent practicable.
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Photo Courtesy of FIS Member NOAA/NMFSborrar
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