A delegation of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) and officials from the US Embassy in Quito inspected the local shrimp fisher fleet in March, to verify if it fulfilled the requirement of marine turtle excluder device (TED) use during catch activities.

 

The renewal of the certification generates major productive and commercial expectations for shrimp trawler fishers.

 

The inspectors performed surprise visits on 30 vessels based in Guayas, Esmeraldas, Manabi and El Oro.

 

''Ecuador has been fulfilling this American legislation, which is also national, for 14 years. In so doing, for us there is cause for satisfaction and pride, more so at times like these, when inspections have become more rigorous than before,'' said Carlos Correia, president of the Ecuadorian Shipowners Association of Shrimp Fishing Boats (ASEARBAPESCA).

 

Meanwhile, the vice-president of ASEARBAPESCA, Modesto Chavez, pointed out that this resolution indicates that the country fulfils all the regulations or requirements that the US demands for the entry of not only shrimp but of other seafood products.

 

In addition to Ecuador, other nations green lighted by the US Department of State included Belize, Colombia, El Salvador, Guatemala, Guyana, Honduras, Madagascar, Nicaragua, Nigeria, Pakistan, Panama and Suriname.

 

Meanwhile, Mexico and Costa Rica's certification was revoked, which is why they cannot export wild shrimp to the US.