Welcome to the Office of International Affairs and Seafood Inspection

  • Commerce Trusted Trader Program

    NOAA Fisheries announces 60-day public comment period on Commerce Trusted Trader Program. Read More . . .

  • Sustainable Seafood Expo

    October 2, 2016: NOAA Fisheries personnel participates in the 3rd Annual Sustainable Seafood Expo Read More . . .

  • International Visitor Leadership Program

    The IASI Northwest Region presents to delegation from Japan Read More . . .

  • Final Rule for U.S. Seafood Traceability Program

    NOAA Fisheries Announces Final Rule to Implement a U.S. Seafood Import Monitoring Program to prevent IUU-caught and/or misrepresented seafood from entering the U.S. market. Read More . . .

  • Sensory Science Travels to Peru

    The IASI Sensory Team, in cooperation with the US Food & Drug Administration and SANIPES, the Peruvian Fish Sanitation Organization, traveled to Lima, Peru to conduct two 2-day sensory courses. Read More . . .

The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) oversees fisheries management in the United States.  Under authority in the 1946 Agricultural Marketing Act, the NOAA Seafood Inspection Program provides inspection services for fish, shellfish, and fishery products to the industry. The NOAA Seafood Inspection Program is often referred to as the U.S. Department of Commerce (USDC) Seafood Inspection Program and uses marks and documents bearing the USDC moniker. 

The NOAA Seafood Inspection Program offers a variety of professional inspection services on a fee-for-service basis which assure compliance with all applicable food regulations.  The Program offers sanitation inspection as well as system and process auditing in facilities, on vessels, or other processing establishments in order to be designated as participating establishments. Product quality evaluation, grading and certification services are available on a product lot basis. Certain products may be eligible for stamping with official marks, such as the U.S. Grade A, Processed Under Federal Inspection (PUFI) and Lot Inspection. 

The services provided by NOAA include the following:

These services can be provided nationwide, in U.S. territories, and in foreign countries. All types of establishments such as vessels, processing plants, and retail facilities may receive these services. All edible product forms ranging from whole fish to formulated products, as well as fish meal products used for animal foods, are eligible for inspection and certification.

The program is the competent authority within the U.S. Government for issuance of health certificates for export of fish and fishery products to foreign countries. The official government forms and certificates issued by USDC inspectors are legal documents recognized in any U.S. court.

State Closures

Alaska
California
Maine
Oregon












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.

Our Vision:

"An informed society that has confidence in the seafood that they purchase, sell and consume today and in the future."