August 13, 2024 — Recent data from the U.S. International Trade Commission show that an unprecedented number of fishermen are participating in the trade cases filed by the American Shrimp Processors Association (ASPA) against imports of frozen warmwater shrimp from Ecuador, India, Indonesia, and Vietnam. As of August 13, 2024, the Commission had logged 540 responses to its fishermen’s questionnaire on its public electronic docket system. This far exceeds the number of fishermen that have participated in prior trade proceedings on shrimp.

“We are deeply grateful to all of the fishermen that have filled out questionnaire responses,” said Trey Pearson, President of ASPA. “With the severe challenges currently confronting the domestic shrimp industry, the fact that so many fishermen took the time to respond is a testament to the importance of this case. Dumped and subsidized imports are injuring all of us, and ASPA is committed to obtaining meaningful relief as this case proceeds.”

The 540 responses include 132 that ASPA’s counsel filed. This high level of participation comes after more than 800 shrimp boats expressed their support for ASPA’s petitions at the U.S. Department of Commerce last fall. The cases remain pending, with a final vote scheduled at the Commission for November 19, 2024.