The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) Fisheries has announced new import provisions that will raise the bar for foreign fisheries exporting seafood to the United States, ensuring they meet the same strict conservation standards followed by American fishermen. The move is designed to safeguard marine mammals, level the playing field for domestic seafood producers, and guarantee that consumers are getting sustainably harvested products.
The announcement follows years of effort to extend the protections of the Marine Mammal Protection Act (MMPA) to foreign fleets. This time, NOAA issued full comparability findings for 89 nations and partial findings for 34, while denying comparability for 12. As a result, fisheries from 46 nations now face restrictions on their seafood entering U.S. markets. Beginning January 1, 2026, fish and fish products from foreign fisheries without an approved comparability finding will be barred from import.
The United States has long been recognized as a global leader in marine mammal conservation, with domestic fishermen held to some of the strictest standards in the world. Bycatch, the accidental capture of non-target species like whales, dolphins, and seals, remains one of the biggest challenges in global fisheries. American fleets have invested heavily in advanced gear and technology to reduce these risks, and many argue that foreign imports from less regulated countries undermine both their efforts and their competitiveness. Extending U.S. standards to foreign fleets is NOAA’s way of leveling the playing field while also pushing for broader adoption of sustainable practices worldwide.
Eugenio Piñeiro Soler, acting assistant secretary of commerce for oceans and atmosphere and NOAA Fisheries assistant administrator, emphasized the importance of this action. “The import provisions guarantee that foreign fisheries meet the gold standard that is set by American fishermen,” he said. “This is a major win for American workers, consumers, and our marine ecosystems. By enforcing these standards, we’re protecting our domestic seafood industry and ensuring only safe, sustainable seafood reaches American tables.”
The process for achieving a comparability finding is rigorous. Fisheries seeking access to the American market must prove they prohibit intentional harm to marine mammals or demonstrate that they have a reliable system for certifying that seafood is harvested responsibly. For higher-risk export fisheries, nations must also operate under programs that match the effectiveness of U.S. regulations. These findings are reviewed every four years, and those initially denied have the opportunity to reapply with updated information after 2026. This structure ensures ongoing accountability and prevents backsliding once approval is granted.
For American fishermen, the changes represent a long-awaited recognition of their commitment to conservation. Domestic fleets have long argued that their investments in safer gear, stricter oversight, and bycatch mitigation put them at a competitive disadvantage against foreign fleets with looser rules. By enforcing U.S. standards on imports, NOAA is signaling that sustainability is not just an American expectation but a prerequisite for access to the American market.
Consumers also stand to benefit from the new rules. By barring seafood that fails to meet conservation benchmarks, NOAA ensures that seafood sold in U.S. grocery stores and restaurants is not only safe and high-quality but also sourced in ways that protect marine ecosystems. In practice, this means shoppers can have greater confidence that the fish on their plates was harvested with attention to environmental stewardship.
While the rules create immediate consequences for foreign fleets, they also carry an invitation for global cooperation. NOAA has pledged to continue working with international management organizations and to share technologies that help reduce bycatch around the world. In doing so, the agency hopes to build momentum toward higher global standards, not just to protect American jobs but to ensure the long-term health of marine life.
As the 2026 deadline approaches, foreign fisheries will be under pressure to comply or lose access to one of the world’s most lucrative seafood markets. For U.S. fishermen, the message is clear: their commitment to sustainability is now backed by trade policy, ensuring their work is not undercut and that marine mammals remain better protected.
