Saving Seafood

National Fisheries Institute Statement on the Passing of Stephen Thompson

November 16, 2020 — The following was released by the National Fisheries Institute:

The seafood community has lost a technical giant and brilliant smile.  Stephen Thompson was a seafood veteran who could solve any regulation implementation or food safety problem … and do it with wit and good-natured spirit showing through his iconic moustache.  He will be sorely missed.

Stephen first joined the National Fisheries Institute 35 years ago.  He was a leader of the association’s Technical Committee and most recently proudly represented Harbor Seafood on the NFI Crab Council.  Stephen also served on the Seafood Industry Research Fund’s board of directors.

Our thoughts and prayers are with his family, his colleagues, and everyone who was blessed to have known Stephen.

Huge Seafood Coalition Opposes Natural Resources Bill that Undercuts Sustainability Successes

November 16, 2020 — The following was released by the National Fisheries Institute:

Ahead of tomorrow’s House Natural Resources Committee hearing on legislation entitled “Ocean-Based Climate Solutions Act,” a coalition of more than 800 members of the seafood community say the proposed bill is not backed by science and has the potential to do more harm than good.

“The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration is among the world’s best fishery managers,” said NFI President John Connelly. “This bill appears to ignore that expertise and process and just walls off parts of the ocean to fishing.  It disregards generations of science-based work and community consensus. Drawing arbitrary lines on a map is not science, it’s politics.  Lines on a map don’t actually promote sustainability but they can harm livelihoods that depend on real sustainability work.”

The proposal calls for massive Marine Protected Areas (MPAs) that would prohibit all commercial fishing activity across at least 30 percent of the nation’s Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) by 2030.

“The seafood community is committed to the conversation about marine conservation and fisheries management.  Cute slogans like ‘30 by 30’ are not part of a reasonable or responsible dialogue,” said Connelly.

The effort ignores the Magnuson-Stevens Act’s success in providing rigorous, science-based framework for area-based closures designed to help rebuild specific stocks. Instead, it relies on total, indefinite closures to commercial fishing in an indiscriminately chosen percentage of the ocean, with no stakeholder input.

“Fisheries management must be science-based and account for the communities that provide us our food.  The coalition signers want to know; when will proponents of this idea address the concerns of the more than 700,000 men and women who depend on domestic commercial harvesting to provide for their families?  ” asked Connelly.

The Committee hearing is Tuesday, November 17, at 12:00 PM Eastern.

National Fisheries Institute Statement on EU Parliament Removing Tariffs on US Lobster

November 11, 2020 — The following was released by the National Fisheries Institute:

The National Fisheries Institute (NFI) welcomes today’s announcement that lawmakers in the European Parliament’s trade committee have voted in favor of removing tariffs on U.S. lobster and encourage the full Parliament to back the deal when they vote.

The duties on live and frozen U.S. lobster shipped to the EU had been between 8 and 20 percent, but as part of a mini trade deal announced by the Trump Administration in August, the rate will drop to zero.  The deal passed in the Parliament committee with 40 votes in favor and 2 against, illustrating the overwhelming interest of the EU in opening the market to delicious, sustainable American lobster.

The pandemic has wreaked havoc on the entire seafood supply chain, including U.S. lobster, so this trade triumph could not come at a more pivotal time. It will directly help the men and women on the water, in the processing plants, and the folks who play a role in the distribution and logistics that get lobsters from our waters to dinner tables in the EU.

NFI applauds President Trump and Ambassador Lighthizer for focusing on U.S. seafood exports. We also commend Senator Susan Collins on her steadfast advocacy for the U.S. seafood community.

National Fisheries Institute Statement on the EU’s Retaliatory Seafood Tariffs

November 9, 2020 — The following was released by the National Fisheries Institute:

Today’s news that the European Union will place tariffs on about $20 million worth of annual United States seafood exports to the EU is disappointing. The seafood communities in the U.S. and EU have long enjoyed a trade relationship that has created tens of thousands of jobs and, most recently, been poised to expand.

It makes no sense that a World Trade Organization dispute about planes that fly 40,000 feet above where fish swim should include seafood.  Now, given missteps by both sides, American workers and families will suffer.

The new tariffs come at a time when the seafood industry in both the U.S. and EU are focused on rebuilding and reopening. Such trade barriers distract from this important economic recovery.

National Fisheries Institute Statement on Seafood Expo North America 2021

November 2, 2020 — The following was released by the National Fisheries Institute:

For years, the National Fisheries Institute (NFI) and its members have seen Diversified Communications’ dedication to educating, connecting, and growing the seafood industry on display at Seafood Expo North America/Seafood Processing North America and its many events around the globe. This year has shined a spotlight on another Diversified Communications commitment: the health and safety of its employees, vendors, and customers.

Earlier this year Diversified made the difficult decision to reschedule and then cancel the 2020 edition of Seafood Expo North America. The 2021 version was planned for March.

Once again illustrating its commitment to meet the seafood community’s needs while prioritizing the health and safety of all Seafood Expo North America/ Seafood Processing North America attendees, Diversified has announced the 2021 event will be held later in the year.

NFI and our member companies appreciate Diversified’s responsiveness, flexibility and innovation during these unprecedented times. We are all looking forward to gathering and supporting Seafood Expo North America/Seafood Processing North America in 2021 when it is safe to do so.

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

Kim Gorton calls on Congress to pass another stimulus for small businesses in seafood, foodservice

September 30, 2020 — Bad debt is plaguing the U.S. seafood industry, and the only cure is another federal stimulus package. That was the message Kim Gorton delivered Wednesday, 30 September, to the U.S. House of Representatives Committee on Small Business.

Gorton, the president and CEO of Slade Gorton and a board member of the National Fisheries Institute, the U.S. seafood industry’s primary trade body, told the panel seafood industry businesses like her family’s have a combined USD 2.2 billion (EUR 1.9 billion) in bad debt and other foodservice companies carry about USD 10 billion (EUR 8.53 billion) in bad debt.

Read the full story at Seafood Source

National Fisheries Institute Statement on SIMP-Compliant Importers List

September 22, 2020 — The following was released by the National Fisheries Institute:

NOAA Fisheries has announced a new Seafood Import Monitoring Program component designed to highlight “Compliant Importers” and reduce the frequency of their audits. The SIMP-Compliant Importers List will be posted beginning in October of 2020.

NFI recognizes and appreciates efforts to improve efficiencies by reducing audits. Decreasing the number of audits for qualified importers, who maintain the detailed recordkeeping requirements of SIMP, is a more effective use of government resources and will hopefully reduce the burden on taxpayers.

NFI encourages NOAA to work on more efforts to streamline SIMP and reduce costs that are ultimately paid by consumers.

National Fisheries Institute Statement on FDA Food Traceability Proposed Rule

September 22, 2020 — The following was released by the National Fisheries Institute:

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has released its proposed rule for traceability and recordkeeping, along with a draft “Food Traceability List” that catalogues which products would be subject to the requirements.

The National Fisheries Institute (NFI) supports efforts to both modernize and advance food safety. The seafood community has been at the forefront of efforts to safeguard our safe and wholesome products as an early adapter of the Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Point (HACCP) system. This year, as the FDA moves towards an evolution in traceability, NFI’s members have proactively explored technologically enabled traceability through a Blockchain pilot to test its viability in a real seafood value chain.

We are currently reviewing the proposed rule and draft “Food Traceability List.” And as with any new regulatory structure, we are interested in ensuring there are no duplicative systems that would complicate the new traceability parameters.

An initial review of the draft “Food Traceability List,” from a seafood perspective, suggests a “one size fits all” approach; which may not be warranted. Just like with HACCP and other modern food safety efforts, a focus on a few critical points or products is a better use of energy and resources.

We are hopeful this proposal will help begin an orderly process that integrates modern supply chain traceability systems within a technologically advanced regulatory structure.