NOAA Unveils Plan to Strengthen Seafood Import Monitoring

Illegal, unreported, and unregulated (IUU) fishing harms both consumers and fishermen by undermining the seafood industry’s integrity. For fishermen, IUU fishing causes economic losses by flooding markets with illegal seafood, depletes fish stocks through overfishing, and creates unfair competition as illicit operators bypass regulations and compliance costs. Tackling IUU fishing is vital to ensure safe, sustainable seafood and protect fishermen’s livelihoods. For consumers, IUU fishing increases the risk of unsafe or mislabeled products, exposing them to potential health risks.

NOAA has just unveiled an action plan to enhance the Seafood Import Monitoring Program (SIMP), working to strengthen the integrity of U.S. seafood imports and fight IUU fishing. This plan follows a comprehensive review initiated in November 2023, during which NOAA worked with over 7,000 stakeholders, including industry professionals, foreign governments, researchers, and non-governmental organizations. The feedback gathered has been instrumental in developing a plan designed to strengthen SIMP’s impact and effectiveness. The plan outlines four primary goals.

• Enhance NOAA Fisheries’ Ability to Combat IUU Fishing

NOAA plans to enhance traceability in U.S. seafood imports through a proposed two-tiered system: the first tier targets species currently under SIMP as well as those at high risk for IUU fishing and seafood fraud, requiring detailed reporting, while the second tier includes all other seafood imports, focusing on key data points such as the country of harvest. To further strengthen oversight, a proposed rule would mandate pre-entry submission of SIMP data, enabling proactive screening via the Global Seafood Data System to block high-risk products. A pilot program for voluntary government-to-government data sharing will foster transparency, enhance traceability, and mitigate supply chain risks.

• Contribute to Government-Wide Efforts to Address Forced Labor

NOAA will strengthen partnerships with U.S. Customs and Border Protection and the Department of Labor by enhancing data sharing and conducting joint investigations to identify and prevent the entry of seafood products produced using forced labor. A proposed rule seeks to collect new data for high-risk species, such as fishing vessel trip dates and transshipment activities, to improve supply chain transparency.

• Strengthen the Integrity and Fairness of Global Seafood Supply Chains

NOAA is exploring amendment requirements under SIMP that would enhance data quality with other traceability systems, including standardizing catch area inputs and simplifying reporting processes. The agency also plans to develop training and education resources for U.S. importers, foreign exporters, and customs brokers, helping everyone involved to better understand and meet SIMP requirements.

• Improve Implementation and Build Capacity to Maintain and Grow the Program

NOAA plans to expand the SIMP team by hiring additional federal staff to ensure the program’s longevity and implement upcoming changes. The agency hopes to improve data systems to process and analyze seafood import information more efficiently.

In conclusion, NOAA will issue the new proposed rules and provide opportunities for public comment. Internal improvements will be implemented as personnel and financial resources allow. The agency remains committed to minimizing disruptions in seafood supply chains while working out the details of the new program. This plan represents a significant step toward ensuring the sustainability and integrity of seafood entering the U.S. market, reflecting NOAA Fisheries’ dedication to combating IUU fishing and promoting fair trade practices globally.