U.S. bans Nigerian shrimp imports

U.S. bans Nigerian shrimp imports

WASHINGTON: The United States said on Tuesday it had decided to ban imports of shrimp from Nigeria because the crustaceans are being harvested with nets that can drown sea turtles.

Nigeria no longer met the U.S. requirements for protecting turtles while harvesting shrimp commercially, the State Department said.

"As a result of this determination, importation of shrimp harvested in Nigeria with commercial fishing technology that may adversely affect endangered sea turtles will be prohibited," it said in a statement.

"However, imports of shrimp harvested in Nigeria by other means, including by aquiculture and with artisanal methods, may continue under certain conditions."

The United States bars imports when commercial shrimp fish boats fail to use "sea turtle excluder devices" to prevent the accidental drowning of sea turtles in shrimp trawls. -- AFP