The NOAA Fisheries Office of International Affairs and Seafood Inspection changed its name to the Office of International Affairs, Trade and Commerce to better reflect the work it does, according to a Feb. 28 announcement.
The changes address the increasing demands related to trade and commerce policy and analysis, implementation of new and expanding statutory mandates, seafood trade and information technology modernization. By aligning the trade functions in NOAA Fisheries, it should better support the U.S. seafood industry, improve seafood competitiveness and combat illegal, unreported and unregulated fishing.
“This new name integrates the full scope of office functions and more thoroughly reflects the types of work the office carries out,” NOAA Fisheries said. "The name more accurately and comprehensively reflects the important work of the Seafood Inspection Program in support of trade and commerce."
The announcement reported this move established the Trade and Commerce Division with two new branches: trade monitoring and trade and commerce policy. The realignment combines all of NOAA Fisheries’ trade monitoring functions under one office.
The renamed office now oversees the Seafood Import Monitoring program, Antarctic Marine Living Resources program, Highly Migratory Species International Trade program and the Tuna Tracking and Verification Program.
The office will still be led by Director Alexa Cole.
