National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) Fisheries Releases Proposed Rule for Electronic Reporting of Trade Data and The New Single Permit Requirements

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National Marine Fisheries Services (NMFS) proposes to integrate the collection of trade documentation within the government-wide International Trade Data System (ITDS) and require electronic information collection through the automated portal maintained by the Department of Homeland Security, Customs and Border Protection (CBP). Under this integration, NMFS would require annually renewable International Fisheries Trade Permits (IFTP) for the import, export, and re-export of certain regulated seafood commodities that are subject to trade monitoring programs of Regional Fisheries Management Organization (RFMOs) and/or subject to trade documentation requirements under domestic law.

RFMO consist of : (For more detailed information, please visit http://www.nmfs.noaa.gov/ia/agreements/regional_agreements/intlagree.html)

  • North Atlantic Salmon Conservation Organization (NASCO)
  • ICCAT- International Commission for the Conservation of Atlantic Tunas
  • Northwest Atlantic Fisheries Organization (NAFO)
  • Western Central Atlantic Fisheries Commission (WECAFC)
  • Agreement on the International Dolphin Conservation Program (AIDCP)
  • North Pacific Anadromous Fish Commission (NPAFC)
  • Inter-American Tropical Tuna Commission (IATTC)
  • North Pacific Fisheries Commission (NPFC)
  • Convention on the Conservation and Management of Pollock Resources in the Central Bering Sea
  • Pacific Salmon Commission (PSC)
  • Western and Central Pacific Fisheries Commission (WCPFC)
  • International Pacific Halibut Commission (IPHC)
  • Indian Ocean Tuna Commission (IOTC)
  • Indian Ocean South East Asian Marine Turtle Memorandum of Understanding (IOSEA)
  • Commission for the Conservation of Antarctic Marine Living Resources (CCAMLR)
  • Convention for the Conservation of Antarctic Seals (CCAS)

The proposed rule seeks to establish single permit for the  three of NOAA’s trade monitoring programs:the Tuna Tracking and Verification Program, the Highly Migratory Species International Trade Permits, and the Antarctic Marine Living Resources Trade Permits. The Importers will be required to electronically submit their application and fee via online. The permit will also be renewed annually.  NMFS will provide guidance and more information about this once final rule is implemented. This will also allow NOAA Fisheries to identify and stop shipments of illegally caught seafood faster and more effectively and thus will benefit U.S consumers.

Comments from the trade community will be accepted and are due by February 29,2016.

Flegenheimer International will continue to monitor the proposed rule and keep you all posted.

Thank you,

Flegenheimer International

 

Please visit the link below for further information:

http://www.nmfs.noaa.gov/ia/slider_stories/2015/12/itds_proposed_rule.html

http://www.nmfs.noaa.gov/ia/reports/nmfs_ia_itds_rule.pdf

http://www.nmfs.noaa.gov/ia/slider_stories/2015/12/nmfs_itds_rule_webinar3.pdf