News and Notices
This page provides announcements and links for documents, press releases, meeting notices, and activities of the NOAA Seafood Inspection Program. The items are presented in reverse chronological order so the most recent links are listed at the top.
2009 | 2010
Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | DecNovember
Posted 11/17/09
New Online System Available to Request Export Certification to the European Union
The NOAA Seafood Inspection Program announces a new website through which current and new customers may now request health certificates for export to the European Union (EU). The new online system will streamline and simplify the process to request export certification services. EU export health certification is available now using the online system. EU illegal, unregulated, and unreported (IUU) catch certification will be available on a test basis at no cost to industry by mid-December 2009 for the remainder of the year and on a permanent basis for a fee beginning January 1, 2010 when the EU IUU catch documentation requirement goes into effect.
To gain access to the new online system, customers must request access from the Seafood Inspection Program and log in using a username and password to place a new request. The system can be accessed directly at: Online Request System
Posted 11/10/09
Seafood Inspection Program to issue new European Union IUU Catch Certificate
The Seafood Inspection Program will soon issue a “catch certificate” document required for export of all wild caught seafood harvested by U.S. flagged vessels to be imported into the European Union (EU). The EU adopted Regulation 1005/2008 ("the IUU Regulation") to prevent, deter and eliminate Illegal, Unreported, and Unregulated (IUU) fishing on September 29, 2008. The Regulation will become effective on January 1, 2010.
NOAA Fisheries Service consulted with the European Commission (EC) to develop a catch document tailored to the particular needs of the U.S. Government. This resulted in an Agreed Record of Consultations, signed November 6, 2009, which includes the catch certificate document that will be used for U.S. fisheries products. The catch document ensures that all maritime fisheries products which are to be traded with the EU are obtained in compliance with existing conservation and management measures.
Fish and shellfish harvested on or after January 1, 2010 must have a catch certificate issued by the NOAA Seafood Inspection Program before the product is shipped overseas. This new requirement is in addition to the existing EU requirement for an export health certificate. Certain exclusions apply.
For more information:
Link to Frequently Asked Questions
Link to IUU Certificate
Link to EU Export Certification Page
October
Posted 10/26/09
NOAA and FDA Sign Agreement on Seafood Inspection
NOAA and the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) unveiled an interagency agreement today to strengthen seafood inspection and improve seafood safety and quality. The agreement formalizes the working arrangements between NOAA's Fisheries Service Seafood Inspection Program and the FDA to reinforce each agency's efforts through cooperation and information sharing in the inspection of fish, fishery products, and establishments. This new agreement strengthens the two agencies' partnership and satisfies a Government Accountability Office recommendation that calls for FDA to consider the results of NOAA inspections when determining the frequency of seafood inspections and the use of limited inspection resources. The agreement formally outlines the procedures for working together at both the headquarters and the field levels, and enhances the credibility of NOAA inspections.
Link to NOAA News Release
Link to Interagency Agreement
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U.S. Department of Commerce/NOAA Fisheries • 1315 East West Highway • Silver Spring, MD 20910 • Phone (301) 713-2355 • Toll Free (800) 422-2750 |
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New Online System Available to Request Export Certification to the European Union
Our Vision:
- "An informed society that has confidence in the seafood that they purchase, sell and consume today and in the future."
Our Mission:
- To ensure the safety and quality as well as enhance the marketability and sustainability of seafood products for the benefit of the American consumer by providing science based inspection services to the seafood industry.
