The US National Marine Fisheries Service will ban 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 curb 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 are allowed to export to the United States. According to the agency, several Mexican export fisheries do not comply with these requirements, including gillnet and trawl fisheries targeting sharks, blue shrimp, curvina, anchovies, rays, and lobsters. 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 US had gone even further – other countries also need to step up.”
Partial approvals, rejections – and pressure for reforms
In addition to Mexico, 33 countries received only partial approvals; some fisheries may continue exporting, while others may not. Some countries were completely rejected because they had not submitted an application. Environmental groups point to analyses indicating that other exporting nations also fail to meet US standards and may likewise require restrictions.
“Anyone who wants to export to the US must comply with the strict protection standards for marine mammals,” emphasizes Zak Smith (NRDC). “Today’s decision brings us closer to that commitment.”
Bycatch: greatest threat to marine mammals
Every year, more than 650,000 whales, dolphins and other marine mammals die worldwide in fishing gear. Between 1996 and 2021, at least 218 entanglements were documented off Mexico’s Pacific and Baja coasts – mostly involving humpback whales, but also gray whales, fin whales, sperm whales and Bryde’s whales. Gillnets were usually the cause, followed by traps and pots. Experts therefore call for a gradual phase-out of particularly high-risk fishing gear.
Economic dimension and legal background
The US is the world’s largest importer of seafood (2024: over US$26.6 billion). From Mexico, almost 99,000 tons worth more than US$596 million were imported – including around 11 tons of shark products (US$133,000) and over 4,878 tons of wild-caught Pacific shrimp (US$67 million). The MMPA has existed since 1972, but was long only partially enforced. After lawsuits from environmental organizations, the US government has now set binding deadlines and made the current decision.
“It was long overdue to enforce this key protection measure,” 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 lose access to the world’s largest market. For Mexico – and other countries with partial approvals – this is a strong lever to improve gear, tighten regulations, and swiftly replace dangerous fishing methods.
