Illegally imported tuna found in Virginia, officials say. Grocery store fined
A grocery store chain was fined after investigators found it had illegally imported more than 1,100 pounds of yellowfin tuna in Virginia, officials said.
Officers learned two shipments of the jarred tuna came from a Nicaraguan fishing vessel during a June 2023 investigation in Chesapeake, officials said. The probe was conducted by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, Virginia Conservation Police, and U.S. Customs and Border Protection, the NOAA Fisheries said in a May 28 news release.
Importing “certain non-fresh tuna products” to the U.S. from Nicaragua and six other countries is illegal because they don’t meet dolphin-safety requirements under the Marine Mammal Protection Act, according to officials.
The yellowfin tuna surrendered was worth more than $4,800, officials said.
NOAA Fisheries did not name the grocery store chain in its release. The chain paid a $12,516 penalty in February, officials said.
According to the NOAA, more than 55 new trade enforcement cases have been filed between Jan. 1 and March 31.
