Indonesia monitors new fish import regulation of US

Jakarta, Aug 9 (IANS) Indonesia is closely monitoring the US's plan to apply new regulation based on Seafood Import Monitoring Programme (SIMP) as it would significantly affect the country's fish exports, a senior official said on Tuesday.

"The new regulation through SIMP scheme would likely take into effect on August or September this year. We call on all businessmen working in fishery sector to pertinently pay attention to the new regulation," Xinhua news agency quoted International Trade Director General at Indonesia Trade Ministry Doddy Edward as saying.

Doddy said the SIMP scheme, which heavily adopted from the US's National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) proposals, highlights fish conservancy issues.

The US was a top export destination country for fish export, making the implementation of SIMP crucial for Indonesia, he said.

Indonesia's concerns over the SIMP implementation were rooted in the fact that 84 per cent of Indonesian fish and fishery products exports were categorised in at-risk species, Doddy said.

He added that his office has ordered related agencies and fish exporters association in the country to take anticipating moves regarding the SIMP implementation in the US.

Indonesia saw 21 per cent decreasing in fish export to the US last year.