US Approves Seafood Exports from South Africa and Nine Other African Nations Under Marine Mammal Protection Guidelines

US Greenlights African Seafood Exports

The United States has officially approved seafood exports from South Africa and nine other African nations, with the new regulations set to take effect in January 2026. This significant development follows a rigorous review by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration's National Marine Fisheries Service (NOAA Fisheries), which determined that these countries' marine mammal protection programs are comparable to US standards.

The approval ensures continued access to the lucrative US market for fisheries in these nations, aligning with the import provisions of the Marine Mammal Protection Act (MMPA).

Compliance with Marine Mammal Protection Act

The Marine Mammal Protection Act (MMPA) Import Provisions mandate that foreign fisheries exporting seafood to the United States must demonstrate that their practices to prevent harm to marine mammals are comparable to those used by US fleets. This includes stringent restrictions on marine bycatch, which refers to the unintentional capture of marine mammals in fishing gear. NOAA Fisheries reviewed approximately 2,500 fisheries across 135 nations to make its 2025 comparability determinations.

South Africa, for instance, engaged with NOAA Fisheries since October 2021, providing substantial data and documentary evidence to prove compliance. The country's Department of Forestry, Fisheries, and the Environment (DFFE) highlighted its progressive regulatory framework, including the Marine Living Aquatic Resources Act (MLRA), which incorporates an ecosystem approach to fisheries management.

Impact on African Nations

The approval is a major boost for the fishing industries in the ten African countries. Alongside South Africa, the other nations granted full comparability for all their marine fisheries are:

• Morocco
• Seychelles
• Mauritius
• Egypt
• Cote d'Ivoire
• Cape Verde
• Sierra Leone
• Tanzania
• Tunisia

Conversely, several other African countries had some of their fisheries denied access to the US market under NOAA's determination, including Cameroon, Ghana, Kenya, Liberia, Madagascar, Mauritania, Mozambique, Nigeria, Senegal, and Somalia. Fisheries that did not receive a comparability finding will be prohibited from importing fish and fish products into the United States starting January 1, 2026.

Statements from Officials

Dr. Dion George, South Africa's Minister of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment, welcomed the decision, stating, 'This determination will allow us to continue exporting South Africa's fish and fish products from the listed fisheries to the United States beyond January 2026, securing critical market access and reaffirming South Africa's role as a responsible fishing nation.' He emphasized that the decision aligns with the government's commitment to building an ethical and capable state and driving inclusive economic growth. The Minister also acknowledged the cooperation of the fishing industry throughout the rigorous review process.