TEMPO.CO, Jakarta The implementation of seafood import monitoring program (SIMP) was discussed by Indonesian Fisheries and Maritime Affairs Minister Susi Pudjiastuti with several US fishery enterprise officials.

The United States government recently announced that it would impose the SIMP to keep records regarding the chain of custody of the fish or fish product that enters the US market.

Minister Susi said she guarantees the validity of Indonesia’s fish export recordkeeping since Indonesia has been hard on eradicating illegal fishing practices.

“Thanks to our efforts to crack down illegal fishing, Indonesia’s shipping cycle has been reduced since ships no longer need to sail too far. That is why the country’s fishery product recordkeeping is guaranteed,” said Minister Susi in Boston on Tuesday, March 13.

The SIMP was initially feared that it would have a negative effect towards Indonesia’s shrimp industry considering that the country’s shrimp and prawn industry mostly consists of small-sized enterprises and cultivators.

President of the National Fisheries Institute John Connelly suggested that US fishery companies should provide assistance by helping exporting countries to increase its export capacity.

Minister Susi Pudjiastuti also discussed matters regarding SIMP with John Henderschedt who represents the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA). He acknowledged that the program may affect several countries and promised that the NOAA would provide enough assistance to prepare Indonesia in facing the SIMP.

BUDIARTI UTAMI PUTRI