NOAA Fisheries has proposed changes to the Seafood Import Monitoring Program (SIMP) on December 28, 2022. The rule suggests expanding red snapper to encompass all Snapper (Lutjanidae) species, and broadening the tuna species group to include various other species marked or described as “tuna,” such as slender tuna, bullet tuna, frigate tuna, kawakawa, and others. In addition, five species or species groups would be added, including cuttlefish and squid, octopus, eels (Anguilla spp.), Queen Conch, and Caribbean Spiny Lobster.
Along with these changes, the rule also proposes administrative modifications. These include requiring the importer of record on the Customs entry filing and the International Fisheries Trade Permit (IFTP) holder to be the same entity, with foreign entities without a U.S. business presence requiring a U.S. resident agent to serve as the importer of record and hold the IFTP. It also clarifies that all chain of custody documents can be provided to NOAA Fisheries in either paper or electronic format, and revises the Aggregated Harvest Report exemption to clarify the small-scale harvest accommodation criteria.
The rule also specifies that the product coming into the Pacific Insular Area would be subject to all requirements of this section except those requiring ACE filing. However, when a product is moved from the Pacific Insular Area to any place within the customs territory of the United States, all requirements would apply. NOAA Fisheries is seeking comments on whether to create a standardized “SIMP Form” that encompasses all traceability elements required under the program, building on the current sample model forms.
NOAA Fisheries is requesting comments on this proposed rule by March 28, 2023. Directions for submission of comments can be found in the Federal Register below.
The Federal Register Notice for the proposed rule can be found here:
https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2022/12/28/2022-27741/magnuson-stevens-fishery-conservation-and-management-act-seafood-import-monitoring-program
