The United States is one of the leading buyers of seafood in the complex international seafood trade. Nevertheless, Russia’s invasion brought recent events that necessitated measures to counter the vote with the money by buying seafood from malign state actors, for example, Russia.
The Biden Administration framed the problem and assigned the task by issuing the Executive Order (EO 14068) thus banning the import of Russian-caught seafood. However, there is a big loophole along the chain of the processing countries, which allows some Russian seafood to come into the US markets using the third-party processing countries like China through which the true origin of the product is hidden.
As the gap was found, an order for the second executive prohibiting the importation of seafood harvested in Russian waters or other countries, even if processed in another country, was issued. Thus, this action is aimed at preventing American markets from supplying products of the main catch species of Russia, such as salmon, cod, pollock and crab.
Conversely the situation is yet to be restful, as the accusations of the increase of Russian seafood exports to China. It’s unclear whether the seafood will be intended for the Chinese domestic market or whether it will use the loopholes to land in the US.
Nevertheless, positive indicators appear, namely in importation of American seafood which gets certified as originating from remote areas of the country that have probably not been affected by the fishing ban. It is noteworthy, furthermore, that the voices calling for more robust traceability-based control systems have been audible for a long time to fix not just Russian seafood but also the worrying issues like illegal fishing and forced labor in the industry.
However, programs like the Seafood Import Monitoring Program do exist yet need strengthening to cover the entire chain of custody from “bait to gate” and ensure there is transparency in the whole supply chain. The United States has the chance to take the helm on a global basis in terms of enforcing rigorous traceability systems for seafood that secure the consumer and promote ethical norms.
Summing up, the ban on fish products by Russia is not only a geopolitical action but also an effort to protect the consumers from peace and rule of law infringements. By strengthening import controls and promoting transparency, the US can set a standard for responsible seafood trade worldwide.
