CSMS Message: 18-000392

The National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) will host a series of four public webinar presentations on the U.S. Seafood Import Monitoring Program (SIMP) to review the traceability data elements required for reporting, as well as recordkeeping requirements to support the inclusion of shrimp and abalone products under SIMP December 31, 2018.

Beginning January 1, 2018, SIMP has required harvest and landing data for certain seafood products. Shrimp and abalone imports will be subject to the requirements of SIMP on December 31, 2018. These webinars will provide information on how U.S. importers can comply with the requirements of SIMP. Webinars will be offered on the following dates:

•June 18, 2018, 3:00pm ET
•June 19, 2018, 10:00am ET
•June 20, 2018, 2:00pm ET
•June 27, 2018, 2:00pm ET (includes Spanish translation)

Conference phone line: 866-844-9416, Participant passcode: 1579526.

To join the webinar, go this website to https://www.iuufishing.noaa.gov/ under Upcoming Public Meetings and click on webinar date.

In a SIMP audit, NOAA Fisheries will verify the harvest and landing information provided in entry filing, as well as chain of custody records documenting the movement of product from harvest to the point of entry into U.S. commerce to determine whether or not the imported seafood may have been harvested in violation of any foreign law or treaty. NMFS has released a Guide to Audit Requirements which provides an overview of SIMP's audit processes and responses to industry's frequently asked questions and is available here.

NOAA Fisheries is committed to supporting industry's compliance with SIMP. For more information, please visit our website: https://www.iuufishing.noaa.gov/RecommendationsandActions/RECOMMENDATION1415/FinalRuleTraceability.aspx.

Questions about SIMP can be submitted to: simpsupport@noaa.gov or by calling the SIMP Support Line: toll free 833-440-6599 or 301-427-8301.