Presidential task force unveils proposal for seafood tracking program, more international cooperation
Staff Report
FRISCO — The Obama administration last week took a small step toward addressing illegal fishing and widespread seafood fraud. A set of recommendations by a presidential task force includes creation of a “risk-based traceability program” to prevent illegal seafood products from reaching the supply chain.
“The United States is a global leader on sustainable seafood, and the seafood industry is an incredibly important sector in our nation’s economy,” said NOAA administrator Dr. Kathryn Sullivan, praising the panel’s suggestions as an important tool to level the playing field for legitimate fishermen.
“Seafood is one the most traded commodities in the world. Consumers should be able to have confidence their seafood was legally and sustainably harvested,” said Catherine Novelli, Under Secretary of State for Economic Growth, Energy, and the Environment. “ Illegal, unreported and unregulated fishers gain an unfair advantage in the marketplace over law-abiding fishing operations as they do not pay the cost of sustainable production,” Novelli said.
The recommendations released today include:
International: Work with international governments, Regional Fisheries Management Organizations, and others to combat IUU fishing and seafood fraud at the international level.
Enforcement: Strengthen enforcement tools to combat IUU fishing and seafood fraud.
Partnerships: Create and expand partnerships with U.S. state and local governments, industry, and non-governmental organizations to identify and eliminate seafood fraud and IUU seafood in U.S. commerce.
Traceability: Create a risk-based traceability program to track seafood from harvest to entry into U.S. commerce to prevent entry of illegal product into the supply chain and better inform retailers and consumers.
According to NOAA, in 2013, U.S. fishermen landed 9.9 billion pounds of fish and shellfish worth $5.5 billion. Globally, IUU fishing causes estimated losses of $10-$23 billion annually, fueling trafficking operations while undermining economic opportunities for U.S. fishermen and others engaged in legal fishing.
The recommendations will be available for public review and comment for 30 days, beginning December 18, 2014, and closing January 20, 2015. Specifically, the Task Force is requesting comment on how to implement these recommendations. More information can be foundhere. Based on comments received, the Task Force will develop an action plan for these recommendations to be released in early 2015.
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