Completion/Submission of COA Fish Harvest Record Form & Data Set

jINSTRUCTIONS FOR COMPLETING THE

CERTIFICATION OF ADMISSIBILITY FISH HARVEST RECORD FORM

The Certification of Admissibility fish harvest record form has six boxes that must be completed in order to meet the requirements of Subpart S to 50 CFR Part 300. Boxes 1-4 have multiple entries so up to three unique fish or fish products can be included on each form. Boxes 1-5 are to be completed by exporters and certified by a duly recognized official/agent of that nation’s Government. Box 6 is to be completed and certified by the U.S. Importer of Record/Agent.

FOR EXPORTERS:

Box 1. Required for all fish or fish products (total weight may be used in aggregate reporting)

For each sub-box, enter the:

1. Species of fish (Aquatic Sciences and Fishery Information System (ASFIS) 3-alpha code as listed at http://www.fao.org/)

2. Product form(s) at the point of first landing whether unprocessed or processed prior to landing/delivery.

3. Quantity and/or weight (in kilograms) of the product(s) as landed/delivered. For aggregate reporting, the total quantity and/or weight of the product(s) as landed/delivered on the date of the report may be provided.

4. Location(s) of first landing, transshipment or delivery

5. Date(s) of first landing, transshipment or delivery

6. Name of entity(ies) (processor, dealer, vessel) to which fish was landed or delivered

7. 10 digit U.S. Harmonized Tariff Schedule (HTSUS) code

Box 2. Required capture and gear information for wild harvest (move to Box 4 if fish or fish product(s) from aquaculture)

For each sub-box, enter the:

1. Type(s) of fishing gear used to harvest the fish as defined in CATAIR Appendix PGA, PG06- Processing Type Codes.

2. Area(s) of wild-capture location, using a code to describe the ocean area of the catch.

If the harvesting country IS subject to the trade restriction, then enter the correct 2-digit (‘01’-‘99’) ocean geographic code assigned by the COA program for each fishing area (including accepted and restricted area codes) applicable to a Harvest Country subject to trade restriction. Products harvested within these restricted countries will be evaluated for admissibility based on the submitted fishing area code. The Geographic Area Codes applicable to the COA program (that will be published for the restricted harvest countries) will be a completely different list from the existing PG06 list in the Appendix PGA. These codes will be published to the NMFS website.

If the harvesting country IS NOT subject to the trade restriction (but still subject to COA requirements due to transshipment or re-export from the identified Country of Origin subject to trade restriction), then a valid Geographic Area Location from CATAIR Appendix PGA - PG06 – Ocean Geographic Area Codes must be provided.

3. Flag state of harvesting vessel(s) - A two-letter code from Appendix B that shows the Harvesting Country that authorized the fishing activity (as used in other trade programs, code “ZZ” is not an acceptable value for the COA program). The flag state is the country under whose laws the fishing vessel operated, or for certified charter vessels, enter the country that accepted responsibility for the vessels' fishing operations.

Box 3. Vessel information (not required in aggregate reporting for wild harvest)

For each sub-box, enter the:

1. Vessel’s name - Vessel names must be spelled correctly to verify legality.

2. Evidence of fishing authorization for the vessel(s) - In certain cases, a competent authority may not require a permit for each vessel or facility. This may be more prevalent in the case of aquaculture facilities than with fishing vessels, but likely also prevalent in artisanal/small-scale fisheries. If a permit or license is not required in the local jurisdiction, some locally meaningful description or disclaimer (“license not applicable”) is needed. Includes details where a local authority requires or issues a license, certificate, permit, or other authorization.

3. Vessel(s) number(s) or unique vessel identifiers - As this information is used to discern lawful acquisition under the competent authority for the area of the fishing operation, the format corresponds to the convention of the vessel registration authority. If registration is not required in the local jurisdiction, some locally meaningful description or disclaimer (“identifier not applicable”) is needed. In the event the vessel has an International Maritime Organization (IMO) Number, this should be used as the identifier. A prefix of “IMO” or “OTH” could precede the identifier.

Box 4. Required aquaculture information (not required for wild harvest)

For each sub-box, enter the:

4.1 Name(s) of farm or aquaculture facility

4.2 Location of farm or aquaculture facility

Box 5. Certification by National Competent Authority

DULY AUTHORIZED OFFICIAL/AGENT OF THE APPLICANT’S GOVERNMENT – Person designated by the government of the exporting nation to certify that the fish and fish products meet the specifications outlined on the form. The duly recognized official/agent must complete the box as specified and sign on the provided line to complete the certification.

FOR U.S. IMPORTERS:

Box 6. Certification by U.S. Importer of Record/Agent

The U.S. Importer of Record/Agent must certify, to the best of their knowledge and belief, that the information on this form accurately describes the fish/fish products contained in this shipment. The U.S. Importer of Record/Agent must complete the box as specified and sign on the provided line to complete the certification.

Within 24 hours after the shipment is released from U.S. Customs, the U.S. Importer of Record/Agent must certify and submit a copy of this form to NMFS through the Customs and Border Protection Automated Commercial Environment. Submission of this form is mandatory in order to certify that the fish or fish products offered for import are not subject to trade restrictions pursuant to the Atlantic Tunas Convention Act, High Seas Driftnet Fishing Moratorium Protection Act, or Marine Mammal Protection Act in order to meet the requirements of Subpart S to 50 CFR Part 300.