Executive Summary
On February 7–8, 2024, the Stimson Center and FishWise co-hosted a two-day workshop dedicated to “reimagining” the Seafood Import Monitoring Program (SIMP). The workshop brought together over 70 stakeholders from the U.S. government, the fishing industry, customs brokers, environmental and labor NGOs, and traceability technology providers to have an open and honest conversation about the opportunities to improve SIMP. This report is a summary of Workshop I, which explored what a successful traceability-based import control program for seafood could look like. Workshop II will take place on 13–14 May 2024, and will explore how to operationalize an improved and expanded SIMP. Several key themes emerged during Workshop I and will serve as the basis for discussions during Workshop II.
The content of this report captures the discussion, broad themes, and key ideas raised during the workshop. This report is a summary of the workshop; the findings herein do not indicate consensus.
Redefining Risk
- Think more inclusively about “risk,” to include contextual risk beyond product-or species-based risk
- Determine how, and not whether, to address forced labor and plan for its enforcement
Digitizing the SIMP Process
- Move beyond electronic versions of supply chain documentation to incorporate and institutionalize true digitization
- Develop a dynamic and responsive import control program that can reflect new and emerging information
Improving Interagency Coordination and Communication
- Share information, intelligence, data with all relevant agencies
- Reduce data collection redundancy across U.S. agencies
- Use information from SIMP to better target at-port and on-the-water enforcement operations to prevent, detect, and deter IUU fishing
Fitting Into the Broader Seascape
- Consider enhancing SIMP with elements of other countries’ counter-IUU fishing trade programs, like pre-import screening, catch certificates, chain-of-custody document audits, and in-country capacity building
- Align data collection requests across major market states’ import control rules
- Increase transparency and accountability to all stakeholders
Next Steps
This workshop was the first in a two-workshop series. This first workshop included more than 70 stakeholders representing the seafood industry, seafood brokers, a cross-section of relevant government agencies, and both environmental and labor NGOs. It was designed to elicit thoughtful discourse and “blue sky” thinking on “Rethinking the Future of the Seafood Import Monitoring Program.” The workshop focused on what is needed for a successful seafood traceability-based import control program designed to combat IUU fishing, seafood fraud, and labor and human rights abuses. The next workshop, on May 13–14, 2024, will be dedicated to exploring how to implement and operationalize the ideas described in this first workshop.
