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The NOAA Fisheries Office of International Affairs, Trade, and Commerce is writing to provide an update on the implementation of new catch certificate requirements for the export of seafood to the European Union (EU).
As communicated previously, the EU updated its IUU fishing regulations in 2023 with an aim to improve supply chain traceability. The changes implement an updated catch certificate and an online IT system called CATCH, the use of which is mandatory for EU importers. The EU requires use of the updated catch certificate starting January 10, 2026. The EU notified the United States and other third countries that updated catch certificates will replace all current administrative arrangements, including the U.S. arrangement that allows for a simplified catch certificate. The EU will continue to accept U.S. catch certificates that are issued prior to January 10, 2026 until January 10, 2028.
NOAA has been engaging with the EU on the technical implementation of the new catch certification requirements, as these changes include several new data elements that are not in the current U.S. Legal Harvest Certificate. We have continued to engage with the EU to seek important clarifications on the interpretation of certain data elements and any available options for providing new information that aligns with our system, such as how to satisfy the request for a captain’s signature. We have also advocated for additional time to use the current certificate or implement certain requirements to avoid disruptions of exports.
EU authorities have confirmed to NOAA that the EU CATCH requirements will be launched with a general “grace” period of 6 months for certain new data fields required in the EU catch certificate: the fishing gear, the extended catch area, and the signature of a master or fishing license holder. The United States will also be able to take advantage of a gradual phase-in for required information that was not previously included in the U.S.-specific certificate. EU authorities have indicated the CATCH system will not reject catch certificates issued in the current U.S. template for an initial period after January 10, 2026.
The Seafood Inspection Program has been working on an updated catch certificate consistent with the EU requirements. We will begin transitioning to the updated catch certificate over the next three months and will follow up with additional guidance after January 1, 2026 on the timing of the switch to the new certificate and any additional guidance on how to complete certain data elements.
You may continue to request the current U.S. legal harvest certificate until we communicate otherwise. Please contact nmfs.seafood.services@noaa.gov if you encounter any issues with any shipments getting cleared at the border due to the certificate issues.
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