Guyana has been re certified to export shrimp to the USA following an assessment of the trawlers’ operations and practices by a US Turtle Excluder Device (TED) team in February. The Government Information Agency (GINA) said the recertification came after the TED team found that this country complied with all the requirements set by the US for importation of shrimp into that country. The agriculture ministry said more than 70% of the shrimp harvested in Guyana’s EEZ is exported to the US and this recertification will ensure that the fishing industry continues to export shrimp and shrimp-products to this lucrative market. Agriculture Minister Robert Persaud said the US is Guyana’s largest shrimp export market and more than 17,000 tons of shrimp is exported annually, representing exports of over 90 per cent of this resource harvested in Guyana. The government has also given assurances that it would continue to comply and enforce the TED program to prevent any accidental drowning of turtles in shrimp nets. GINA quoted Persaud, at a media briefing yesterday, saying that the ministry would continue to work with trawler operators to ensure compliance with regulations. He said plans were in place in this regard, to restructure the Fisheries Department to better manage the sector and monitoring at sea.