Flighted Spongy Moth Complex (FSMC)

Published: July 31, 2023

Formerly known as Asian Gypsy Moth (AGM)

Members are reminded of the change in name for the Asian Gypsy Moth (AGM) – now renamed as Flighted Spongy Moth Complex (FSMC) – (effected in 2022)

A joint notice by Canada and US in February 2023 has specified an extended risk period for many of the regulated countries, and the commencement of the 2023 season is accompanied by some more changes by Chile, Argentina, and New Zealand. These changes are primarily to align their specified risk periods with that of the US and Canada.

FSMC regulations are imposed by many countries on ships entering their ports once they have travelled to a FSMC risk area.

Members should note that whilst many of the specified risk periods are aligned, each country may have its own requirements detailing how the risk period is imposed or which countries in the specified risk period will be the target for inspection. The normal requirement is for a ship that has called at a port in a regulated FSMC area during the specified risk period of the current, or previous year will be considered a ship at high FSMC risk. This requires that, in general, the ship obtain a FSMC-free certificate at the last port visited in the high-risk area.

Members are advised to consult with their local agents and Clubs local correspondents when planning a voyage to a port within a FSMC risk area to ensure they meet all requirements for the upcoming voyage(s) before departing from a port in a FSMC risk area. Appropriate consideration should be given to the applicable risk period during the planning stage.

You can find some country specific FSMC regulations of impacted countries for the season 2023, together with related-FSMC information, by following the BIMCO links:
(Please note that a BIMCO membership is required to fully access BIMCO articles on the links provided)