ACE Filing Requirements for High-Risk Seafood to Apply to Shrimp and Abalone Beginning Dec. 31
Shrimp and abalone will be subject to new permitting, recordkeeping and ACE filing requirements for high-risk seafood beginning Dec. 31, 2018, the National Marine Fisheries Service said in a final rule. After being temporarily stayed following NMFS’ establishment in 2016 of the Seafood Import Monitoring Program (SIMP) (see 1612080014), the agency is now moving ahead with implementation of the program for shrimp and abalone, in response to recently passed legislation in Congress.
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Specifically, the Consolidated Appropriations Act of 2018 directed NMFS to lift the stay, which had initially been set so the agency could put in place a similar traceability program for domestic farmed shrimp and abalone. Enacted on March 23, the legislation also directs NMFS to move forward with its domestic aquaculture rule.
As of Dec. 31, “importers of shrimp and abalone species will be required to obtain an International Fisheries Trade Permit,” file harvest and landing data at time of entry in ACE and maintain supply chain records for two years after entry, NMFS said. The agency intends to allow for testing in the ACE certification environment before filing goes live, it said. “For products harvested prior to the compliance date, U.S. importers should work with their foreign suppliers to ensure that the harvest event and supply chain records are available for any entries made on or after December 31, 2018.”
NMFS SIMP filing requirements continue to apply to Atlantic cod; Pacific cod; blue crab; red king crab; dolphinfish (mahi mahi); grouper; red snapper; sea cucumber; shrimp; sharks; swordfish; and albacore, bigeye, bluefin, skipjack and yellowfin tuna. NMFS recently ended its “informed compliance” period on April 9 and is now fully enforcing SIMP requirements for these species (see 1803190033).
(Federal Register 04/24/18)