Canadian Fisheries Cleared for Continued Access to U.S. Markets Under Marine Mammal Protection Act

Canada’s seafood sector has secured continued access to U.S. markets after the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) confirmed that all Canadian fisheries meet requirements under the U.S. Marine Mammal Protection Act (MMPA).

The announcement was welcomed by Fisheries Minister Joanne Thompson, who said the decision highlights the industry’s global leadership in sustainability, innovation, and marine mammal protection. The finding allows Canadian seafood exports to flow uninterrupted to the United States, a key trading partner, while supporting jobs and coastal communities on both sides of the border.

Canada has introduced some of the world’s strongest measures to safeguard North Atlantic right whales and other marine mammals. These include fishery closures in areas where whales are detected, action against lost “ghost gear,” and testing whale-safe fishing gear to reduce entanglement risks. Since 2019, more than 2,400 tons of abandoned gear have been removed from Canadian waters.

The federal government says collaboration with harvesters, Indigenous groups, industry partners, and environmental organizations has been central to shaping Canada’s whale protection strategy. A new WhaleSafe Gear Strategy is expected to guide the wider rollout of safer fishing equipment in the coming years.

Minister Thompson credited Canada’s fishing industry for its adaptability and commitment, noting that protecting whales and ensuring the long-term prosperity of fisheries must go hand in hand.

original article - Canada’s Commitment to Marine Mammal Protection secures Canadian fisheries access to U.S markets - Canada.ca