NMFS Update: Implementation of Seafood Import Prohibitions under the Marine Mammal Protection Act Import Provisions; Certification of Admissibility for Designated Fish and Fish Products; Announcement of Upcoming Webinars

NMFS Update: Implementation of Seafood Import Prohibitions under the Marine Mammal Protection Act Import Provisions; Certification of Admissibility for Designated Fish and Fish Products; Announcement of Upcoming Webinars

The National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) is issuing this message to inform industry that, beginning January 1, 2026, certain fish and fish products from nations with fisheries that have been denied comparability findings under the Marine Mammal Protection Act (MMPA) import provisions will be prohibited from import into the United States.

Entries from a nation with fisheries denied comparability findings and using a designated HTS code will be inadmissible if not accompanied by a signed Certification of Admissibility (COA).

NMFS will host two public webinars in December 2025 to provide a brief overview of MMPA import provisions, and a detailed technical discussion on COA requirements. To join these webinars, use the links listed below:

Webinar 1 – Tuesday, December 16, 2025, at 8:00 a.m. EST

• Webinar link: https://noaanmfs-meets.webex.com/noaanmfs-meets/j.php?MTID=mfbee3fbf6746b05d30a87cdf9cb26b15
• Webinar number: 2825 057 7995
• Webinar password: 1379
• Join by phone:
• +1-415-527-5035 US Toll
• Access code: 282 505 77995

Webinar 2 – Tuesday, December 16, 2025, at 4:00 p.m. EST

• Webinar link: https://noaanmfs-meets.webex.com/noaanmfs-meets/j.php?MTID=md1d32d69066e0e09df759c4d25bcb016
• Webinar number: 2830 635 0692
• Webinar password: 1379
• Join by phone:
• +1-415-527-5035 US Toll
• Access code: 283 063 50692

For more information on MMPA import provisions, including a list of affected fisheries and designated HTS codes, and resources related to COAs: https://www.fisheries.noaa.gov/foreign/marine-mammal-protection/seafood-import-prohibitions-under-marine-mammal-protection-act

Questions on these import prohibitions can be directed to NMFS at one of the following emails:

• For information relating to the MMPA Import Provisions, comparability finding determinations, and affected fish products, contact MMPA.LOFF@noaa.gov.
• For technical assistance on COA requirements, contact trademonitoring.support@noaa.gov.

If you have questions, please contact your Western Overseas representative.