WWF: Action Plan Signals US Intentions to Close Door on Black Market Fishing

In response to the Obama Administration’s illegal fishing and seafood fraud action plan released today at the North American Seafood Expo, World Wildlife Fund (WWF) issued the following statement from Michele Kuruc, vice president of oceans policy:

“Today’s action plan marks a decisive shift in US policy. The Administration is putting black market enterprises on notice that the US is closing its doors to their illegally caught seafood.

“Illegal fishing is one of the greatest threats to the future health of our oceans. The plan puts the Administration on a course toward the comprehensive, regulatory solutions needed to end the trade of black market fish.

“The plan has the right elements to ensure that seafood comes from legal sources, including common-sense requirements for catch information and product traceability. It’s critical that the Administration builds on the plan’s momentum and delivers on promised timelines to ensure that all seafood entering the US will be legal and responsibly caught.

“With illegal fishing risking the ecological health of our oceans, harming communities, and unfairly competing with honest American fishermen, there’s no time to wait.”

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