Office of International Affairs and Seafood Inspection

The Office of International Affairs and Seafood Inspection engages other countries bilaterally and through various multilateral international fisheries organizations. We promote sound management and conservation of global fisheries resources in a manner consistent with U.S. domestic fisheries policy. Our goal is sustainable global resources and a “level playing field” for U.S. fishermen and seafood producers. We have a broad mission in the areas of policy, regulation, seafood safety, and trade.

International Engagement

Because fish and other marine wildlife cross national boundaries, the United States shares living marine resources with other countries. The way other countries manage these shared marine resources can therefore directly affect the status of fish stocks and protected or endangered species of importance to the United States. The Office of International Affairs and Seafood Inspection participates in various international fisheries organizations to achieve effective and responsible marine stewardship and ensure sustainable fisheries management.

• Regional Agreements
• Global Agreements
• Bilateral Arrangements
• Trade Agreements

International Cooperation

Successful fisheries management and conservation practices can only be achieved through international cooperation and collaboration. Working with our international partners, the Office of International Affairs and Seafood Inspection works to combat Illegal, Unreported, and Unregulated (IUU) fishing, promote comprehensive research on fish and other marine animals that travel through international waters, and preserve endangered species that share our oceans.

• Monitor, Control, and Surveillance
• Protected Species and Bycatch Mitigation
• Improving Fisheries Governance
• International Species Conservation and Management

Regulatory Programs

The seafood sector plays an important role in the U.S. economy, generating approximately 1.5 million jobs and providing a nutritious source of protein to the American public. As the largest importer and fifth largest exporter of seafood, trade in this sector plays a vital role in the United States.

• Trade Monitoring
• MMPA Import Provisions Rule
• Seafood Import Monitoring Program

Combating IUU Fishing

The United States imports more than 90 percent of its seafood. NOAA Fisheries works to ensure that high demand for imported seafood does not create incentives for illegal fishing activity. Working in partnership with other U.S. government agencies, foreign governments and entities, international organizations, non-government organizations, and the private sector is crucial to effectively combating IUU fishing.

• FAQs on IUU Fishing
• Biennial IUU Reports to Congress
• U.S. Government Task Force on Combating IUU Fishing and Seafood Fraud

Commerce and Certification

The United States produces about $10 billion dollars worth of processed seafood each year; exports represent approximately half of that value. Our office works to ensure confidence in U.S. seafood by protecting and strengthening the seafood market through global trade, establishing partnerships with industry and consumer groups, providing seafood inspection services, and analyzing seafood safety risks.

We offer voluntary seafood inspection services to processors and importers, domestically and internationally, to assist in meeting U.S. regulations and generally accepted seafood production best practices governing fishery products for human consumption. This service supports seafood safety and includes sanitation inspection, system and process audits, grading and inspection, export certification, and product laboratory analyses.

Commerce and certification provides export services to facilitate exports of seafood products that meet the unique requirements of each importing country and any other specific industry buyer criteria. We represent the United States in negotiations with other countries regarding their import requirements for seafood products from the United States. We serve as the Competent Authority to issue health and catch certification for U.S. seafood exports.