As part of our Common Ground series focused on the Seafood Import Monitoring Program’s (SIMP) implementation, FishWise hosted a webinar where industry, government, and NGO experts gathered to delve into the complexities of seafood regulations, shedding light on key challenges and potential solutions for enhanced compliance. The webinar included panel discussions centered around two main themes: creating a mock-up website to strengthen guidance for seafood industry compliance and the need for capacity building within seafood supply chains. Let’s recap the insightful dialogue and explore how these discussions can shape the future of seafood regulations.
Panel 1: Mock-Up – Enhancing Compliance Guidance
The first panel, moderated by Alyssa Withrow, Project Manager at FishWise, kicked off an engaging discussion with three distinguished panelists. Celeste Leroux, CEO of Goldfish Inc., emphasized the need for industry players to reasonably anticipate audit requirements and improve documentation processes. She highlighted the significance of clear and detailed guidance, allowing businesses to identify and effectively address potential compliance issues. The conversation revolved around striking the right balance between specificity and flexibility in documentation expectations. The mock-up website shared during the discussion also provided a glimpse into potential solutions for program clarity and compliance, standardizing critical tracking events and facilitating streamlined record-keeping.
Panel 2: Capacity Building – Empowering the Seafood Industry
Lindsay Ceron, Senior Project Director at FishWise, led an insightful discussion on capacity building within the seafood industry. Panelists Joe Lasprogata, VP of New Product Development at Samuels and Son Seafood Co., and Michael (Mike) Lahar, Manager of Regulatory Affairs at A.N. Deringer, Inc., emphasized the importance of early engagement, education, and collaboration between government agencies and industry stakeholders. They advocated for standardization and alignment across different agencies to streamline processes and enhance traceability. The conversation underscored the necessity of providing resources, training, and tools to enable smoother compliance and foster successful seafood trade.
Why the Mock-Up?
From our previous dialogues with stakeholders, FishWise heard the need for more clarity on the requirements (both documents and key data elements) needed for SIMP compliance, especially in the case of an audit. The solution proposed was an easy-to-use, searchable table that served as a straightforward resource for seafood companies. The webinar offered us an opportunity to share this mock-up with a broad audience, including government representatives from agencies such as the U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), as a potential solution to the challenges the seafood industry was facing regarding the lack of clarity in program guidance.
The website mock-up serves as a visual representation of a collective effort to bridge existing gaps in seafood compliance. By consolidating and organizing essential compliance information, the mock-up addresses the industry’s need for accessible and accurate guidance. It embodies the culmination of collaborative discussions and thoughtful insights, providing a promising direction for seafood companies seeking clarity and efficiency in meeting regulatory requirements. The following is a short walk-through of the mock-up website that was shared during the webinar:
Continuing the Conversation
Moving forward, FishWise is committed to facilitating ongoing discussions and supporting industry efforts beyond SIMP compliance. Given our expertise in policy engagement and our diverse industry networks, FishWise invites stakeholders to join the conversation, share insights, and collaborate on shaping the future of seafood regulations. Keep an eye out for upcoming webinars, resources, and toolkits designed to empower businesses in their compliance journey and enhance their policy advocacy efforts.
To gain a deeper understanding of the panel discussions and the potential impact of enhanced compliance guidance, we invite you to watch the full webinar:
Stay tuned for more updates and opportunities to engage with FishWise as we work together to navigate the evolving landscape of seafood regulations. Your input and participation are invaluable as we strive to create a more sustainable and transparent seafood industry.
