As part of its efforts to combat illegal, unreported, and unregulated (IUU) fishing and seafood fraud, today the Committee on IUU Fishing and Seafood Fraud announced opportunities for the public to provide input on the principles used to determine fish and seafood species “at risk” of these illegal activities.
The principles will be used to develop a list of species eligible for a risk-based seafood traceability program. This program is a key step in leveling the playing field for legal fishermen. Both the draft principles and a draft list of “at risk” species will be published for public comment in July 2015.
“Public input is an important first step as we work to identify which species are at risk,” said NOAA Administrator Kathryn Sullivan, Ph.D. “IUU fishing and seafood fraud distort legal markets and unfairly compete with the catch and seafood products of law-abiding fishers and seafood industries. Together with our global partners, we can ensure the economic and environmental sustainability of fisheries and fish stocks in the U.S. and around the world.”
To read the rest of the story, please go to: National Oceanic And Atmospheric Administration
