NOAA Fisheries has introduced a new action plan to enhance the U.S. Seafood Import Monitoring Program (SIMP). This initiative comes after a year of engaging with stakeholders to address issues related to illegal, unreported, and unregulated (IUU) seafood entering the U.S. market.

Sally Yozell, Director of the Environmental Security Program at the Stimson Center, expressed approval of the plan. She noted that a year prior, stakeholders from various sectors had voiced concerns about proposed changes to SIMP, deeming them ineffective and burdensome. In response to NOAA Fisheries' new strategy, Yozell stated: “A year ago, stakeholders — including industry and NGOs—raised concerns over proposed changes to SIMP, calling them ineffective and burdensome. Today, I applaud NOAA Fisheries for laying out a new, more constructive plan to combat IUU fishing and forced labor in the seafood supply chain."

Yozell highlighted the significance of this plan given that over $2.5 billion worth of illegally caught seafood enters the U.S. annually. She emphasized that "three-quarters of U.S. consumers support stronger measures" for responsibly sourced seafood free from forced labor and human rights abuses.

The action plan aims for better tracking across the supply chain, prevention of illegal imports, and leveling competition within the seafood industry through targeted risk analytics. According to Yozell: "These improvements have real potential to make a difference in both the fight against IUU fishing and promoting ethical labor practices." She also expressed optimism about receiving further details on this plan in upcoming months.