On December 28, NOAA Fisheries will issue its Seafood Import Monitoring Program (SIMP) Proposed Rule for public comment through March 28, 2023. It includes a proposal to include additional priority species in SIMP, as well as other administrative changes.
SIMP is a screening and deterrent tool to identify and deter IUU fish and fish products and misrepresented seafood from entering the U.S. market. SIMP has been in effect for 13 species and species groups, which comprise approximately 1,100 unique species, for about four years.
NOAA Fisheries conducted a thorough species review and found that the 13 species and species groups currently included in SIMP remain at risk and none should be removed. In addition, this review proposes to expand red snapper and tuna, currently included in SIMP, to their larger species groups, including all species in the snapper family and additional tuna species (see below). These additions would reduce the occurrence of mislabeling and product substitution, facilitating the enforcement of SIMP reporting and recordkeeping requirements.
- From Northern Red Snapper to Additional Snappers (Family Lutjanidae)
- From Five Single Tuna Species (Albacore, Bigeye, Bluefin, Skipjack, and Yellowfin) to Additional Tuna Species (Albacore, Bigeye, Bluefin, Skipjack, Yellowfin, Slender, Bullet, Frigate, Kawakawa, Black Skipjack, Blackfin, and Longtail Tuna, plus Little Tunny, Bonitos, Escolar, and Amberjacks)
- Cuttlefish and Squid (Cuttlefish (Order Sepiida), Coastal squid (Order Myopsida), and Neritic squid (Order Oegopsida))
- Eels (Anguilla spp.)
- Octopus (Order Octopoda)
- Queen Conch (Family Strombidae)
- Caribbean Spiny Lobster (Panulirus spp., Family Scyllaridae)
The proposed rule, if finalized, would increase the SIMP priority species to approximately 1,672 unique species.
NOAA welcomes feedback on these species and other elements in the Proposed Rule to clarify the responsibilities of International Fisheries Trade Permit holders, electronic recordkeeping, and the small-fisheries harvest accommodation criteria. Additionally, NOAA welcomes other feedback from stakeholders on improving the program, such as interest in a standardized form for compliance.
NOAA Fisheries is committed to the ongoing development and enhancement of SIMP, both programmatic and regulatory, as part of our comprehensive approach to combating IUU fishing and seafood fraud.
For more information, please see www.federalregister.gov