ISLAMABAD: After a four-year ban, the United States has lifted its restriction on fish and seafood imports from Pakis­tan, marking a significant milestone for the country’s maritime sector.

Federal Minister for Maritime Affairs Muham­mad Junaid Anwar welcomed the decision, calling it a recognition of Pakistan’s high-quality seafood and an important step for the industry’s global growth.

In a statement issued on Saturday, Minister Junaid Anwar highlighted that the resumption of seafood exports to the US would provide long-term stability to Pakistan’s fishing sector. He anticipated that this move would solidify Pakistan’s position in the global seafood market, granting access to one of the world’s largest seafood importers.

The United States National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administra­tion (NOAA) has classified Pakistani fisheries listed on its List of Foreign Fisheries (LOFF) as “comparable” under the Marine Mammal Protec­tion Act (MMPA). This classification means that Pakistan’s fisheries meet US standards for protecting marine mammals from incidental harm during fishing operations.

The MMPA mandates that fisheries minimise by-catch of marine mammals, adopt conservation practices, and operate sustainably. The standards aim to support healthier marine ecosystems, ensuring that fishing operations do not harm vulnerable marine species.

Exports to resume after four years as NOAA approves fisheries compliance

Currently, Pakistani seafood earns approximately $2 per kg in the global market. With the US recognition, the price is expected to rise, which could open new markets in Europe and the Gulf. During the last fiscal year (2024-25), Pakistan exported 242,484 tonnes of fish and related products, valued at $489.2 million, at an average price of $2 per kg. If the same export volume continues, the minister anticipates that exports could generate nearly $600m in the coming year.

The successful submission of a comprehensive compliance dossier to NOAA was a critical milestone in this process. The minister noted that this acceptance validates Pak­is­tan’s ongoing efforts to regulate its commercial fisheries, maintain sustainable fishing practices, and align with international environmental standards.

“This approval is vital to safeguard Pakistan’s multi-million-dollar seafood exports to the US market and enhance the country’s reputation for responsible fisheries management globally,” he said.

However, the minister emphasised the need to continuously strengthen protective measures for marine mammal populations, as recommended by NOAA, to ensure the long-term health of marine biodiversity. The lifting of the ban, he added, is just the beginning, and ongoing efforts will be requi­red to maintain and build on this international recognition.

Published in Dawn, August 31st, 2025