The US agency National Marine Fisheries Service will henceforth prohibit the import of seafood from 21 high-risk Mexican fisheries, including shrimp and shark fisheries in the Gulf of California and the Pacific. The reason is the high bycatch of marine mammals such as whales, dolphins, and the critically endangered vaquita. The import ban will take effect in January 2026.
Import ban aims to reduce bycatch
Under US law, the Marine Mammal Protection Act (MMPA), only fisheries that meet comparable standards for the protection of marine mammals as US fisheries may export to the USA. According to the agency, several Mexican export fisheries do not meet these requirements, including gillnet and trawl fisheries targeting sharks, blue shrimp, curvina, anchovies, rays, and lobster. Existing bans on gillnets in the northern Gulf of California remain in place due to the vaquita issue.
“This is a victory that saves the lives of whales and dolphins in Mexican waters,” says Sarah Uhlemann (Center for Biological Diversity). “I wish the USA had gone further – other countries must also improve.”
Partial approvals, rejections – and pressure for reforms
In addition to Mexico, 33 states received only partial approvals. Some fisheries may continue to supply, while others may not. Some countries were rejected entirely because they had not submitted an application. Environmental organisations point to analyses suggesting that other exporting nations do not meet US standards and may also require restrictions.
“Those who want to export to the USA must comply with strict protection standards for marine mammals,” emphasises Zak Smith (NRDC). “Today’s decision brings us closer to this commitment.”
Bycatch: the greatest threat to marine mammals
Worldwide, more than 650,000 whales, dolphins, and other marine mammals die in fishing gear each year. Between 1996 and 2021, at least 218 entanglements were documented off Mexico’s Pacific and Baja coasts, primarily involving humpback whales. Grey whales, fin whales, sperm whales, and Bryde’s whales were also affected. Most cases were caused by gillnets, followed by traps and pots. Experts therefore call for a gradual phase-out of particularly risky fishing gear.
Economic dimension and legal background
The USA is the world’s largest importer of seafood (2024: over 26.6 billion US dollars). From Mexico, nearly 99,000 tonnes worth more than 596 million US dollars were imported, including around 11 tonnes of shark products (133,000 US dollars) and over 4,878 tonnes of wild-caught Pacific shrimp (67 million US dollars). The MMPA has existed since 1972 but was only partially implemented for a long time. Following lawsuits by environmental organisations, the US government set binding deadlines and made the current decision.
“It was overdue to enforce this central protection provision,” says Georgia Hancock (Animal Welfare Institute). “Those who endanger marine mammals must face consequences.”
The message is clear: without effective measures against bycatch, export fisheries will lose access to the world’s largest market. For Mexico and other countries with partial approvals, this is a strong lever to defuse equipment, tighten regulations, and swiftly phase out dangerous fishing methods.