On March 15, 2015, The Presidential Task Force on Illegal, Unreported, and Unregulated (IUU) Fishing and Seafood Fraud in the US released its action plans that will strengthen enforcement, create and expand partnerships with state and local governments, industry, and non-governmental organizations, and create a risk-based traceability program to track seafood from harvest to entry into US commerce.
Co-chaired by the Departments of Commerce and State, the action plan consists of aggressive steps that federal agencies will take both domestically and internationally to implement the recommendations the Task Force made in December 2014.
The plan also highlights ways in which the country will work with its foreign partners to strengthen international governance, enhance cooperation, and build capacity to combat IUU fishing and seafood fraud.
This includes the Administration’s work to secure historic and enforceable environmental provisions in the Trans-Pacific Partnership, a regional trade agreement that includes countries that together account for approximately 25% of global marine catch and global seafood exports.
Public views sought in 2014
On June 17, 2014, the White House released a Presidential Memorandum entitled “Establishing a Comprehensive Framework to Combat Illegal, Unreported and Unregulated Fishing and Seafood Fraud.”
Among other actions the Memorandum established a Presidential Task Force, co-chaired by the Departments of State and Commerce and made up of a broad range of other federal agencies.
The Task Force was directed to report to the President within six months with “recommendations for the implementation of a comprehensive framework of integrated programs to combat IUU fishing and seafood fraud that emphasizes areas of greatest need.”
In August 2014, the Task Force initiated a public engagement process aimed at gaining broad input and expertise from key stakeholders and interest groups to inform and advise them on the development of recommendations in compliance with the Memorandum.
The Task Force sought comments on topics of particular interest.
The public comment period began July 31, 2014 and closed on September 2, 2014.
Following a review of input from key stakeholders, the Task Force released its recommendations on December 18, 2014.
The Task Force requested comments from key stakeholders and interest groups to advise on how to most effectively implement the proposed recommendations.
