PARAMARIBO, Suriname, CMC – Suriname has denied reports that the Dutch-speaking Caribbean Community (CARICOM) country will no longer be allowed to export fish to the United States.
In a statement, the Ministry of Agriculture, Animal Husbandry and Fisheries (LVV), said that the ban applies exclusively to the SK driftnet fishery and to catches by Venezuelan vessels and that all other fisheries will continue to have access to the US market.
The LVV said that the report that Suriname will no longer be allowed to export fish to the United States starting January 1, this year, is “incorrect” and that the US import ban applies only to fish from the Surinamese coastal driftnet fishery (SK driftnet fishery) and to red snapper caught by vessels sailing under the Venezuelan flag.
The ministry said that it felt compelled to inform the public correctly after recent reports incorrectly stated that Suriname is completely barred from exporting fish to the US.
“This information is incorrect and creates a distorted picture of the situation,” according to the statement.
The United States applies the Marine Mammal Protection Act (MMPA) to the import of fish and fish products, requiring exporting countries to demonstrate that their fishing practices have measures comparable to those in the US for the protection of marine mammals, such as dolphins.
The assessment is known as a comparability finding and is conducted by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA).
The authorities here said that Suriname has received a positive comparability finding for almost all fisheries except the SK driftnet fishery, which NOAA concluded that the net lengths used in this fishery do not comply with US regulations and that insufficient measures had been taken to prevent marine mammals from becoming entangled in the nets.
The LVV said that Suriname has since taken various corrective measures and that implementation is in full swing, noting, for example, that the use of acoustic deterrent devices, known as pingers, has been made mandatory to keep dolphins at bay. In addition, net lengths are being adjusted to current standards, and a comprehensive monitoring program is being developed.
It said that this programme will be reinforced with Electronic Monitoring (EM), which allows catches and fishing activities to be digitally recorded and monitored. The ministry acknowledges that these measures entail additional costs for the sector and that the LVV says it is actively seeking funding and collaborative programmes to provide support where possible.
The LVV said that all information about the measures taken has now been shared with NOAA, in the hope of still obtaining a comparability finding for the SK driftnet fishery.
The LVV said that export to the US is currently prohibited for red snapper caught in Surinamese waters by Venezuelan vessels.
“Although these vessels operate from Suriname, they fly the Venezuelan flag. Venezuela, as the flag state, is responsible for requesting a comparability finding, but has not yet submitted an application or provided any information to the US authorities. As a result, fish from these vessels cannot be exported to the US,” the ministry said, adding that it is closely monitoring developments in Venezuela and continues to focus on consultation and cooperation to find solutions.
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