Fiji Shrimp Exports Accepted by the US

FIJI - Fiji is one of 39 countries certified by the United States to export shrimp to the country.

According to FijiTimesOnline, section 609 of the United States' Public Law 101-162 bars the import of shrimp and shrimp products harvested in ways that may adversely affect some sea turtle species.

Fifteen of the 39 countries use turtle excluder devices to prevent the accidental drowning of sea turtles in shrimp trawls while Fiji is one of the eight countries that harvest manually and do not harm sea turtles, reports the news organisation.

The US Department of State said all shrimp imports into US must be accompanied by a form signed by the importer and the exporter.

If shrimp products are from a non-certified country, a government official of the harvesting nation must also certify the shrimp was caught without harming sea turtles, the department said.