In 2010 U.S. Seafood Exports to Europe Must be Certified Legal

November 12, 2009 Washington, DC – The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) and the European Commission (EC) have signed an agreement to implement new rules that require wild capture fisheries products exported to the European Union (EU) to include a “Catch Certificate.”

“In areas outside US waters, illegal, unreported and unregulated (IUU) fishing is a serious problem and this effort to certify products coming from this country as IUU-free is just another example of NOAA’s leadership in fisheries management,” said National Fisheries Institute (NFI) President John Connelly. “With this effort NOAA embodies the saying lead by example.”

In a letter to exporters Timothy Hansen, Director of NOAA’s Seafood Inspection Program, ensured that the documentation developed as part of this program will comply completely with the EC’s IUU regulations and that, “every step has been taken to ensure that U.S. exports to the EU will not be disrupted.”

The new certification will apply to all U.S. exports to the EU as well as products exported to a third country for further processing that are ultimately exported to Europe.

Hansen explained that cooperation with the EC on this issue is part of a broader effort to eliminate IUU fishing, “which contributes to overfishing and reduces the value of legally harvested fisheries products.”

As part of the certification process NOAA plans to audit a sample number of export companies to ensure their product is IUU-free.

“Coordinating this type of certification program is no small chore. NOAA’s work with its European counterparts shows a real commitment to doing the right thing,” said Connelly.

NOAA’s Fisheries Service Seafood Inspection Program reports it will issue the catch document at the same time it issues the export health certificate also required by the EC.

For more than 60 years, the National Fisheries Institute (NFI) and its members have provided American families with the variety of sustainable seafood essential to a healthy diet. For more information visit: www.AboutSeafood.com.

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Contact Information

Gavin Gibbons
(703) 752-8891
ggibbons@NFI.org