“We are one important step closer to protecting millions of U.S. shrimp consumers, our U.S. shrimp fishery, and legitimate, law-abiding shrimp importers from illegal shrimp imports”, said Southern Shrimp Alliance (SSA) Executive Director, John Williams, who further noted that shrimp is our nation’s largest seafood import with over $6 billion in shrimp products imported in 2017.
Shrimp importers have until December 31, 2018, to be in full compliance with the requirements of the SIMP program. Accordingly, shrimp importers must -
- be U.S. citizens;
- secure and maintain an International Fisheries Trade Permit (IFTP) from NOAA;
- report upon entry into the US a range of data elements needed to confirm the lawful acquisition of the product at the point of harvest; and
- for two years, keep records of that data along with information documenting the integrity of the supply chain of custody from those harvest events to entry into the U.S.
The program further provides NOAA with authority to perform audits of the harvest and chain of custody information provided by importers. This will greatly facilitate the U.S. government’s efforts to combat IUU fishing and a broad array of fraudulent activities in the shrimp import supply chain devised by dishonest importers to evade various U.S. trade and consumer safety laws.
As previously reported by SSA, shrimp imports have been associated with a range of illegal activities including -
- IUU fishing;
- the use of dangerous, illegal antibiotics by overseas shrimp farms;
- the use of slave labor by foreign fishing vessels, shrimp farms and processing facilities; and
- the evasion of U.S. anti-dumping duties and efforts by the FDA to enforce U.S. food safety laws.
The inclusion of shrimp imports under the SIMP program was a long-fought and hard-won legislative battle championed by a number of powerful Members of Congress deeply concerned about these illegal activities. Opponents of the legislation included the National Fisheries Institute and the National Restaurant Association.
1) March 22 “U.S. Congress Acts to Place Imported Shrimp Under the Seafood Import Monitoring Program”:http://www.shrimpalliance.com/u-s-congress-acts-place-imported-shrimp-seafood-import-monitoring-program/
2) March 23: “Update: Shrimp Under SIMP Is Now The Law”: http://www.shrimpalliance.com/update-shrimp-simp-now-law/
Source: Southern Shrimp Alliance
(seafoo.vasep.com.vn) Ca Mau Province is stepping up efforts to protect aquatic resources and promote transparent and sustainable fisheries, joining the country’s efforts to have the European Commission (EC) remove its “yellow card” warning for illegal, unreported and unregulated (IUU) fishing.
(vasep.com.vn) Vietnam has strengthened its position in China’s massive seafood market, becoming the largest lobster supplier while maintaining a dominant share of the country’s imported pangasius.
(vasep.com.vn) Vietfish 2026 was more than just a larger exhibition space. Through B2B meetings, booth discussions, production-chain visits and post-show feedback, businesses and buyers found something more concrete: suitable suppliers, processing capabilities, technology solutions, new markets and a foundation for building long-term trust and partnerships.
(vasep.com.vn) Vietnam’s tilapia exports to the United States declined significantly in the first seven months of 2026. Cumulative export value reached US$18 million, down 42% from the same period in 2025. In July alone, exports amounted to just US$2 million, plunging 70%, indicating a clear slowdown in import demand from the US market.
(vasep.com.vn) At the seminar “Global Seafood Markets and the Future Workforce: Trends, Opportunities and Directions for the Sustainable Development of Vietnam’s Fisheries Sector,” held as part of VIETFISH 2026, Ms. Shirlene Maria Anthonysamy, Fisheries Officer (Markets) and GLOBEFISH Coordinator at the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), presented initiatives aimed at promoting youth participation in fisheries and aquaculture.
(vasep.com.vn) In the first seven months of 2026, Vietnam’s pangasius exports to the United States reached US$189 million, down 8% year-on-year. In July alone, export value reached US$22 million, down 28%. This trend indicates that U.S. demand for pangasius imports has remained relatively cautious this year, as importers tend to maintain moderate inventory levels and limit stockpiling.
(vasep.com.vn) After three days at the Saigon Exhibition and Convention Center (SECC) in Ho Chi Minh City, the Vietnam International Fisheries Exhibition – VIETFISH 2026 – has successfully concluded, leaving a strong impression in terms of scale, visitor numbers, the quality of business connections, and innovative activities. With more than 14,000 m² of exhibition space, 335 companies, 568 booths, participation from representatives of 17 countries and territories, and nearly 15,000 visitors, VIETFISH 2026 has once again affirmed its role as an important meeting point for Vietnam’s and the global seafood industry.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) Held as part of Vietfish 2026 from August 19–21 at SECC in Ho Chi Minh City, a series of five specialized seminars provided the seafood business community with updates on markets, technology, standards, human resources and cooperation opportunities. With the participation of experts, international organizations, government agencies and businesses from Vietnam and abroad, the seminars created an additional platform for professional exchange alongside the exhibition’s product showcases and business networking activities.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) On the morning of August 19, 2026, the Vietnam International Seafood Exhibition – VIETFISH 2026 officially opened at the Saigon Exhibition and Convention Center (SECC) in Ho Chi Minh City. With 568 booths representing 335 companies, alongside the presence of senior government officials, local authorities, diplomatic missions and international partners, VIETFISH 2026 kicks off three days of business networking, technology exchange and market engagement under the overarching theme “Innovation and Sustainability.”
The Vietnam Association of Seafood Exporters and Producers (VASEP) officially announces that the Vietnam International Seafood Exhibition (Vietfish 2026) will take place from August 19–21, 2026, at the Saigon Exhibition and Convention Center (SECC), Ho Chi Minh City.
VASEP - HIỆP HỘI CHẾ BIẾN VÀ XUẤT KHẨU THỦY SẢN VIỆT NAM
Chịu trách nhiệm: Ông Nguyễn Hoài Nam - Phó Tổng thư ký Hiệp hội
Đơn vị vận hành trang tin điện tử: Trung tâm VASEP.PRO
Trưởng Ban Biên tập: Bà Phùng Thị Kim Thu
Giấy phép hoạt động Trang thông tin điện tử tổng hợp số 138/GP-TTĐT, ngày 01/10/2013 của Bộ Thông tin và Truyền thông
Tel: (+84 24) 3.7715055 – (ext.203); email: kimthu@vasep.com.vn
Trụ sở: Số 7 đường Nguyễn Quý Cảnh, Phường An Phú, Quận 2, Tp.Hồ Chí Minh
Tel: (+84) 28.628.10430 - Fax: (+84) 28.628.10437 - Email: vasephcm@vasep.com.vn
VPĐD: số 10, Nguyễn Công Hoan, Ngọc Khánh, Ba Đình, Hà Nội
Tel: (+84 24) 3.7715055 - Fax: (+84 24) 37715084 - Email: vasephn@vasep.com.vn