The latest report from NOAA Fisheries to Congress reveals that approximately 56% of audited import entry filings in the US are noncompliant, primarily due to incomplete chain of custody and misreporting of harvest weight.

Significant Shrimp Imports Under SIMP

In fiscal year 2023, the Seafood Import Monitoring Program (SIMP) covered over 1.7 billion pounds of seafood, valued at more than USD 6.4 billion. Notably, shrimp and tuna accounted for about 75% of both the quantity and value of these SIMP-monitored products. Specifically, shrimp imports amounted to 555.8 million pounds, valued at USD 2.3 billion.

The report notes a significant decline in total seafood imports to the United States from fiscal year 2022 to 2023. Imports decreased from 10.6 billion pounds worth approximately USD 25 billion to 5.3 billion pounds valued at USD 22 billion. This decline is reflected in the volume of imports subject to SIMP, which represented about 32% by volume and 30% by value of all seafood imports into the U.S. last year.

Compliance and Enforcement Actions

NOAA’s report details several enforcement actions taken in fiscal year 2023. Two shipments of wild shrimp from China and Vietnam were refused entry due to concerns over commercial fishing technology potentially harming protected sea turtles. Additionally, nearly 10 tons of produce were seized for violations of SIMP and other federal fishery regulations. This included shrimp from Senegal, Mexico, and unknown origins.

NOAA has initiated multiple criminal and civil investigations into violations of federal laws, including the Lacey Act, Endangered Species Act, and the Convention on the International Trade in Endangered Species of Fauna and Flora. These investigations address issues such as seafood products allegedly produced by forced labor, false labeling, document fraud, and financial crimes. The outcomes of these investigations will be reported in future updates to Congress.