International Coordination Busts Red Snapper Trafficking Scheme

In November 2024, NOAA Fisheries Office of Law Enforcement, in cooperation with U.S. Customs and Border Protection, seized more than 12 tons of illegal red snapper in Newark, New Jersey. The shipment of illegal red snapper was returned to Brazil and seized upon arrival last month by our partner, the Brazilian Institute of Environment and Renewable Natural Resources. They also seized more than 40 tons of illegal red snapper destined for the United States at Brazilian ports. Our joint efforts ensure the sustainability of the fishery and compliance with international law.

Red snapper is an important commercial and recreational fishery in the southeastern United States. When illegally fished Brazilian red snapper enters into U.S. markets, it unfairly competes with U.S. fishermen and their legally caught product. Stopping the import of illegal fish and preventing illegally fished products from entering U.S. commerce protects America's fishing industry and livelihoods.

Brazilian red snapper is also known as Caribbean red snapper and referred to as "pargo" in Brazil. It is listed as threatened under Brazil's endangered species law and subject to a strictly regulated commercial fishery in Brazil. Despite these protections, Brazilian red snapper is often the target of illegal, unregulated, and unreported fishing and trafficking due to its high market value and consumer demand in the United States.

We have worked with the Institute on several joint operations at both United States and Brazilian ports to:

• Inspect cargo and check manifests
• Detect potential fraud, false documentation, and false identification of species within the international supply chain

"Our collaboration with other foreign agencies helps us to better stop illegal trade in its tracks," said James Cassin, Acting Assistant Director of NOAA Fisheries Office of Law Enforcement, Northeast Division. "When we can coordinate these efforts, we can better protect marine life and ensure that seafood imported into the United States is legal, sustainable, and responsibly harvested."

Under the Lacey Act, it is illegal to import fish into the United States that was harvested, possessed, transported, or sold, in violation of foreign law. It's also illegal to provide false records or false identification of fish transported in international commerce.

Illegal, unregulated, and unreported fishing and the trafficking of these products is a global problem. It harms economic and food security and ocean ecosystems. Our partnership with Brazil is vital to the U.S. government's efforts to combat the global trafficking of illegal marine fishery products. These efforts ensure U.S. consumers have access to safe and legal seafood, and protects the U.S. seafood industry by keeping illegal products out of the U.S. market.