In the final phase injury investigations on shrimp imports at the International Trade Commission, a key part of making the case was answering questions from the four Commissioners and Commission staff.

At the Commission’s hearing in October 22, 2024, ASPA witnesses and counsel answered 81 questions from Commissioners. Witnesses and counsel for the U.S. Shrimpers Coalition[1]  answered 11 questions. The Ad Hoc Shrimp Trade Action Committee[2] did not participate in the hearing.

In its post-hearing brief filed on October 29, 2024, ASPA filed written responses to 23 Commissioner and staff questions. The Ad Hoc Shrimp Trade Action Committee filed answers to nine questions. The U.S. Shrimpers Coalition did not file its own post-hearing brief.

As a result of the work parties did to respond to the Commissioners’ questions, the Commission voted unanimously on November 19, 2024 that imports from Ecuador, India, Indonesia, and Vietnam caused material injury to the domestic industry. The vote means that duties will be imposed on imports from all four countries.

“The ITC Commissioners did their homework, and they had a lot of excellent questions for us,” said Trey Pearson, the President of ASPA. “ASPA did the work to get the Commissioners the answers they needed to make their decision. As we look forward to Thanksgiving, I want to take a moment to thank the Commission for its hard work on our case and for the ultimate victory we achieved last week.”

This is the sixth in a series of “Shrimp Duties Updates” from ASPA to keep members of our industry informed about the facts and figures underlying ASPA’s shrimp case. These updates will be available on ASPA’s website and you can sign up to receive them. Stay tuned for the next Shrimp Duties Update on Monday, and have a great Thanksgiving!

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[1] The members of the U.S. Shrimpers Coalition are the Louisiana Shrimp Association, Georgia Commercial Fisherman’s Association, SC Shrimpers Association, Texas Shrimp Association, North Carolina Fisheries Association, Alabama Commercial Fishermen Association, and Seafood Work and Waterman’s Association.

[2] The members of Ad Hoc Shrimp Trade Action Committee are Nancy Edens, Trico Shrimp Company Inc., Tarvin Seafood Inc., Bosarge Boats Inc., Anchored Shrimp Company, Big Grapes Inc., Versaggi Shrimp Co., Craig Wallis, and the Southern Shrimp Alliance.