NOAA Reviews Foreign Fishery Evaluation System Under the Marine Mammal Protection Act

The U.S. seafood industry may see important regulatory developments as the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) considers updates to its foreign fishery evaluation system under the Marine Mammal Protection Act (MMPA). Although no new regulations have been adopted, the ongoing public consultation could influence how imported seafood is evaluated in the future.

For seafood exporters supplying the U.S. market, staying informed about these developments is essential for maintaining long-term market access and compliance. 

Public Consultation Is Now Underway

NOAA Fisheries has opened a public consultation to gather feedback on potential improvements to the current foreign fishery evaluation framework. The consultation period will remain open until September 28, 2026.

At this stage, the agency is collecting stakeholder input only. Existing import requirements and current restrictions remain unchanged until any formal regulatory updates are proposed and adopted.

Why the Review Matters

Under the Marine Mammal Protection Act, seafood imported into the United States must originate from fisheries that provide protections for marine mammals comparable to those required for U.S. fishing operations.

During its first comprehensive assessment, NOAA evaluated approximately 2,500 fisheries across 135 countries. The review process highlighted significant differences among countries in fisheries management systems, monitoring capabilities, legal frameworks, and bycatch mitigation measures.

These challenges have prompted NOAA to explore ways to improve the efficiency and consistency of future evaluations.

Key Areas Being Considered

As part of the consultation, NOAA is seeking comments on several potential improvements, including:

• Introducing conditional comparability findings that allow countries additional time to address identified gaps before import restrictions are considered.
• Prioritizing reviews of fisheries that present higher risks to marine mammals.
• Streamlining evaluation procedures for fisheries considered to have lower levels of risk.
• Strengthening traceability requirements for seafood products processed through multiple countries.
• Reviewing the Certificate of Admissibility (COA) process to improve oversight and reduce opportunities to circumvent import restrictions.

These proposals are intended to enhance regulatory efficiency while maintaining marine mammal protection standards.

Implications for Seafood Exporters

Although the consultation does not immediately change import requirements, the outcome could influence future compliance expectations for seafood exporters serving the U.S. market.

Exporters may benefit from reviewing their current practices in areas such as:

• Fisheries management documentation
• Product traceability systems
• Supply chain transparency
• Compliance with international sustainability standards
• Recordkeeping for exported seafood products

Businesses with strong traceability and compliance systems are generally better positioned to adapt to evolving regulatory requirements.

Looking Ahead

The United States remains one of the world's largest seafood import markets, making regulatory developments particularly relevant for international suppliers.

While NOAA's consultation is still in its early stages, exporters should continue monitoring official updates and prepare for potential adjustments to future import procedures. Maintaining robust compliance systems and transparent supply chains will remain important factors for accessing the U.S. seafood market.