Saving Seafood

New taxes are coming for imported shrimp. SC shrimpers say it’s about time.

December 3, 2024 — South Carolina shrimpers will begin to feel some relief from the pressures of cheap, imported frozen shrimp.

The U.S. International Trade Commission and the Department of Commerce will impose added taxes on the seafood product that’s flooded the market in recent years.

For shrimpers, it’s a welcome reprieve from the years of price gouging that’s run many fishermen out of business.

For consumers, it can mean higher prices on the frozen warmwater shrimp commonly found at grocery stores like Walmart and Costco.

The influx of imported frozen shrimp and unfair trade practices have injured the domestic shrimping industry, the United States International Trade Commission ruled in November.

Read the full story at The Post and Courier

American Shrimp Processors Association push for duties on imported shrimp from four countries

October 26, 2023 — The American Shrimp Processors Association (ASPA), an organization representing the interests of U.S. wild-caught warmwater shrimp processing, has filed trade petitions seeking additional antidumping and countervailing duties on imported shrimp.

The trade petitions, which the ASPA said are intended to address unfair dumping and illegal subsidies, consist of a request for antidumping duties on imported frozen warmwater shrimp from Ecuador and Indonesia, and countervailing duties on imported shrimp from Ecuador, India, Indonesia, and Vietnam.

Read the full article at SeafoodSource

US Sanctions on Russia’s Seafood Have a Big Loophole: China Processors

April 15, 2022 — A U.S. ban on seafood imports from Russia over its invasion of Ukraine was supposed to sap billions of dollars from Vladimir Putin’s war machine.

But shortcomings in import regulations mean that Russian-caught pollock, salmon and crab are likely to enter the U.S. anyway, by way of the country vital to seafood supply chains across the world: China.

Like the U.S. seafood industry, Russian companies rely heavily on China to process their catch. Once there, the seafood can be re-exported to the U.S. as a “product of China” because country of origin labelling isn’t required.

The result is that nearly a third of the wild-caught fish imported from China is estimated to have been caught in Russian waters, according to an International Trade Commission study of 2019 data. For pollock and sockeye salmon, the rate is even higher — 50% to 75%.

“China doesn’t catch cod. They don’t catch pollock. But yet, they’re one of the largest exporters of these whitefish in the world,” said Sally Yozell, a former policy director at the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration who now is a senior fellow at the Stimson Center in Washington. “Having it labeled as a Chinese product is really not fair to the consumers and to restaurants.”

Read the full story at NBC New York

U.S. imported $2.4 billion in illegally fished seafood in 2019, U.S. agency says

March 19, 2021 — The United States imported $2.4 billion worth of seafood from illegal, unreported and unregulated fishing in 2019, representing 11% of total U.S. imports, the U.S. International Trade Commission said in a report released on Thursday.

The report, from an investigation requested by the U.S. House Ways and Means Committee in December 2019, found that the removal of illegal, unreported and unregulated (IUU) seafood imports would increase the total operating income of the U.S. commercial fishing industry by an estimated $60.8 million. Seafood prices and catch sizes would increase for all species modeled.

The U.S. commercial fisheries that would benefit most include those targeting warmwater shrimp, sockeye salmon, bigeye tuna and squid, according to the report here.

Read the full story at Reuters

US Trade Commission hears testimony on CETA’s impact on US lobster exports

October 1, 2020 — The U.S. International Trade Commission heard testimony Thursday, 1 October, on the effect the trade agreement between Canada and the European Union has had on America’s lobster industry.

The Canada-E.U. pact, known as the Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement (CETA), has had a detrimental effect on U.S. lobstermen and exporters since it took effect three years ago, according to Robert DeHaan, the vice president for government affairs for the National Fisheries Institute. DeHaan said the deal meant U.S. exporters faced 8 percent tariffs on live lobsters and up to 20 percent on value-added products while their Canadian counterparts paid no levies on the same products, providing them with a significant competitive advantage.

Read the full story at Seafood Source

USITC to Host Virtual Roundtable on Impacts of Imports and Illegal Fishing

September 25, 2020 — The following was released by the Mid-Atlantic Fishery Management Council:

Dear fishermen, seafood dealers, processors, and other fishing industry stakeholders,

This message is about an important discussion you may want to participate in. A flyer for the event is available here.

WHAT’S THIS ABOUT: The U.S. International Trade Commission (USITC) will host a virtual roundtable to gather input from New England and Mid-Atlantic fishing industry stakeholders on two topics: (1) the impacts of illegal, unreported, and unregulated (IUU) fishing on the U.S. fishing industry; and (2) the impacts of seafood imports on U.S. products and markets.

WHEN WILL THIS HAPPEN: The roundtable is being held alongside the New England Fishery Management Council’s next meeting. The roundtable itself will take place on Tuesday, September 29, 2020 at 6:00 p.m. or shortly following the close of Council business that day.

WHO CAN PARTICIPATE: All stakeholders are encouraged to join the discussion. Anyone who fishes for, sells, or processes seafood in New England or the Mid-Atlantic region may be able to provide helpful information to the USITC as it works to brief Congress on IUU fishing and impacts of imports on U.S. fisheries.

HOW DO I JOIN THE ROUNDTABLE:  To participate:

  • Visit this link and select “join from your browser.” You will be asked to provide your full name and an email address.
  • If you are accessing the videoconference via a Webex application, copy and paste 199 705 4058 into the box for the meeting number/access code and Y7Byi8h6Hu2 for the password.
  • Also, if you think you may join the roundtable discussion, email the USITC’s Daniel Matthews at daniel.matthews@usitc.gov to let him know you’re interested.

WHAT DOES THE USITC WANT TO KNOW FROM ME: Anything related to impacts on U.S. fishermen from seafood imports or illegal fishing! Here are some examples of questions the commission is interested in.

  • Competition with Imports: How is the squid fishery off the East Coast impacted by squid imports?
  • Demand Trends: Have groundfish buyers, whether sourcing supply for U.S. markets or key export markets, required increased traceability in recent years?
  • Pricing Trends: Do imported scallops directly compete with U.S. markets and influence the price U.S. fishermen receive for their product?
  • Substitutability: Do Atlantic cod and haddock imports reduce demand for U.S.-caught cod and haddock?
  • Supply Chains: Do U.S. squid processors process both domestic and imported product?

QUESTIONS: Email the USITC’s Dan Matthews at daniel.matthews@usitc.gov with any questions you have about the upcoming roundtable. He is happy to help.

MORE USITC INFORMATION: At the request of Congress, the USITC is conducting the following investigation. All related documents are available at the links below.

Seafood Obtained via Illegal, Unreported, and Unregulated Fishing: U.S. Imports and Economic Impact on U.S. Commercial Fisheries (332-575)

NEFMC September 29-October 1, 2020 – By Webinar – Listen Live, View Documents

September 21, 2020 — The following was released by the New England Fishery Management Council:

The New England Fishery Management Council will hold a three-day meeting by webinar from Tuesday, September 29 through Thursday, October 1, 2020.  The public is invited to listen live and provide input during designated opportunities for public comment.  The Council still cannot hold a large, in-person meeting due to indoor gathering limitations, travel restrictions, and public safety considerations associated with the ongoingCOVID-19 pandemic.

START TIME:  9:00 a.m. on Tuesday and 8:30 a.m. on Wednesday and Thursday.  The webinar will end shortly after the Council adjourns each day.

WEBINAR REGISTRATION:  Online access to the meeting is available at Listen Live.  There is no charge to access the meeting through this webinar.

  • Here are instructions in the Remote Participation Guide for successfully joining and participating in the webinar.
  • THIS IS KEY!  If you want to speak during opportunities for public comment, you need to: (1) register for the webinar; and (2) actually “join” the webinar.  People who call in by telephone without joining the webinar will be in listen-only mode.  Those who take both steps – register and then join the webinar – will see the meeting screen and be able to click on a “raise hand” button, which will let the meeting organizer know you want to be unmuted to speak.
  • We have a Help Desk in case you get stuck joining the webinar or have trouble along the way.  Phone numbers are listed on the Help Desk Poster, or just email helpdesk@nefmc.org.  We’ll get right back to you.

WEBINAR CALL-IN OPTION:  To listen by telephone, dial +1 (631) 992-3221.  The access code is 352-930-778.  Please be aware that if you dial in, your regular phone charges will apply.

AGENDA:  All meeting materials and the agenda are available on the Council’s website at NEFMC September 29-October 1, 2020 Webinar Meeting.  Additional documents will be posted as they become available.

JOIN THE USITC ROUNDTABLE:  At 6:00 p.m. or shortly following the close of Council business on Tuesday, September 29, the U.S. International Trade Commission (USITC) will host a virtual roundtable to gather input from New England fishermen and other industry stakeholders on two topics:

  • The impacts of illegal, unreported, and unregulated (IUU) fishing on the U.S. fishing industry; and
  • The impacts of seafood imports on U.S. products and markets.
All stakeholders are encouraged to join the discussion.  No preregistration is needed.  Just join HERE.  Additional information can be found in the USITC roundtable flyer.

COMMENTS:  The deadline for submitting written comments for consideration at the New England Council’s webinar meeting is Thursday, September 24, 2020 at 8:00 a.m.

THREE MEETING OUTLOOK:  A copy of the New England Council’s Three Meeting Outlook is available HERE.

HAPPENING THIS WEEK! COMMITTEE AND ADVISORY PANEL MEETING LINEUP:  Here’s what’s on the calendar leading up to the Council meeting.  Details are available at each respective link.

Fishermen, Dealers, Processors – Join USITC Roundtable on Impacts of Imports and Illegal Fishing

September 15, 2020 — The following was released by the New England Fishery Management Council:

Dear fishermen, seafood dealers, processors, and other fishing industry stakeholders,

This message is about an important discussion you may want to participate in.  A flyer for the event is attached.

WHAT’S THIS ABOUT:  The U.S. International Trade Commission (USITC) will host a virtual roundtable to gather input from New England and Mid-Atlantic fishing industry stakeholders on two topics: (1) the impacts of illegal, unreported, and unregulated (IUU) fishing on the U.S. fishing industry; and (2) the impacts of seafood imports on U.S. products and markets.

WHEN WILL THIS HAPPEN:  The roundtable is being held alongside the New England Fishery Management Council’s next meeting.  The roundtable itself will take place on Tuesday, September 29, 2020 at 6:00 p.m. or shortly following the close of Council business that day.

WHO CAN PARTICIPATE:  All stakeholders are encouraged to join the discussion.  Anyone who fishes for, sells, or processes seafood in New England or the Mid-Atlantic region may be able to provide helpful information to the USITC as it works to brief Congress on IUU fishing and impacts of imports on U.S. fisheries.

HOW DO I JOIN THE ROUNDTABLE:  To participate:

  • Visit this link and select “join from your browser.”  You will be asked to provide your full name and an email address.
  • If you are accessing the videoconference via a Webex application, copy and paste 199 705 4058into the box for the meeting number/access code and Y7Byi8h6Hu2 for the password.
  • Also, if you think you may join the roundtable discussion, email the USITC’s Daniel Matthews at daniel.matthews@usitc.gov to let him know you’re interested.
WHAT DOES THE USITC WANT TO KNOW FROM ME:  Anything related to impacts on U.S. fishermen from seafood imports or illegal fishing!  Here are some examples of questions the commission is interested in. 
  • Competition with Imports:  How is the squid fishery off the East Coast impacted by squid imports?
  • Demand Trends:  Have groundfish buyers, whether sourcing supply for U.S. markets or key export markets, required increased traceability in recent years?
  • Pricing Trends:  Do imported scallops directly compete with U.S. markets and influence the price U.S. fishermen receive for their product
  • Substitutability:  Do Atlantic cod and haddock imports reduce demand for U.S.-caught cod and haddock?
  • Supply Chains: Do U.S. squid processors process both domestic and imported product?

QUESTIONS:  Email the USITC’s Dan Matthews at daniel.matthews@usitc.gov with any questions you have about the upcoming roundtable.  He is happy to help.

MORE USITC INFORMATION:  At the request of Congress, the USITC is conducting the following investigation.  All related documents are available at the links below.

U.S. trade investigation to study lobster tariffs

September 2, 2020 — The U.S. International Trade Commission has embarked on an investigation into “possible negative effects” on the American lobster industry from Canada’s trade deal with the European Union.

The commission said it will investigate the overall economic impact of the Canada-European Union Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement on the volume of U.S. exports of lobster to the European Union and the United Kingdom.

That trade deal between Canada and the EU removed all tariffs on imported Canadian lobsters and gave Canada’s lobster suppliers a clear advantage in the EU market, where U.S. suppliers faced an 8% tariff on their lobsters.

Lobster fishing is based mostly in New England and is one of the region’s the most lucrative marine industries. Massachusetts is the biggest exporter of lobster, behind Maine. Gloucester is the Bay State’s top port when it comes to lobster landings, while Rockport is in the top five.

Read the full story at the Gloucester Daily Times

The United States International Trade Commission Holds a Virtual Public Hearing on Seafood Obtained via Illegal, Unreported, and Unregulated Fishing: U.S. Imports and Economic Impact on U.S. Commercial Fisheries

July 23, 2020 — The following was released by the South Atlantic Fishery Management Council:

The U.S. International Trade Commission is investigating the extent to which imports of seafood products obtained via illegal, unreported, and unregulated fishing impact the U.S. commercial fishing industry. Information about the ongoing investigation can be found here.

A virtual public hearing is being held in connection with this investigation. The hearing is scheduled to begin at 9:30 a.m. on September 3, 2020. Requests to appear at the hearing are due by 5:15 p.m., August 12, 2020. Instructions for participating in this hearing can be found here.

In lieu of or in addition to participating in the hearing, interested parties may file written comments. All written submissions should be received no later than 5:15 p.m., October 9, 2020. Written comments must be made through the Commission’s Electronic Document Information System (EDIS, https://edis.usitc.gov).