May 14, 2004

 

 

Thai Trawlers Affected By US Ban On Caught Shrimp Imports

 

US decided to ban imports of caught shrimp from trading countries, including Thailand. This decision will inevitably affect Thai trawlers.

 

According to a press release from the American Embassy to Thailand, which was disseminated to TNA this morning, as of 15 May, 2004, all Thai farmed shrimp exports to the U.S. must be accompanied by an Importer/Exporter's Declaration.

 

The Declaration will help distinguish farmed shrimp from the smaller quantity of caught shrimp, which are embargoed from export to the U.S.

 

The U.S. decision, made on 30 April, permits shrimp exports from countries that protect sea turtles, and bans shrimp exports from other countries, including Thailand.

 

The move is expected to harm Thai shrimp trawlers who export over US$40 million shrimp to the US market annually, out of Thailand's total shrimp exports of over US$950 million to Washington each year.

 

Exports of Thai-caught shrimps to the US market, however, account for only 5% of the country's total shrimp exports to the US market annually.

 

When asked if the embargo on caught shrimp and documentation requirement for farmed shrimp exports were related to the ongoing anti-dumping case involving Thailand, an American Embassy officer replied, "Absolutely not. These new measures are required under the US Public Law, as part of the US sea turtle conservation programme."

 

The officer explained that the existing US law requires the Department of State to certify that countries exporting shrimp to the US have taken all appropriate measures to prevent accidental capture, or death of endangered sea turtles. Unfortunately, Thailand's shrimp fishing industry has not enthusiastically adopted devices and methods that protect sea turtles when fishing for shrimp.

 

The US law prohibits the import of shrimp that were caught, or harvested in a manner that may adversely affect sea turtle species.

 

The specific law is Section 609 of Public Law 101-162. Under its provisions, the U.S. has no choice but to embargo the small proportion of the Thai shrimp caught at sea, and require that farmed shrimp from Thailand be certified in writing.

 

"If Thailand's shrimp fishing fleet used turtle excluder devices on their nets, or other measures to protect sea turtles, we would not have had this problem," he added.

 

"When Thai shrimp fishermen join in the worldwide effort to protect sea turtles, this embargo can be reversed. Other than the requirement of new declarations, these measures will have no effect on the more than US$900 million worth of Thai farmed shrimp exported to the U.S. each year," the American Embassy officer confirmed.