The Government of Grenada wishes to update fisherfolk, exporters, processors, and all stakeholders on the actions taken to address the recent U.S. National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) Fisheries import restrictions related to the Marine Mammal Protection Act (MMPA).
Following NOAA’s preliminary and final notifications issued in August 2025, Grenada was informed that exports of certain fish and fish products to the United States would be subject to import restrictions as of 1 January 2026, due to specific legal and procedural gaps identified under the MMPA requirements.
Status of Grenada’s Reapplication
The Ministry of the Blue Economy and Marine Affairs confirms that Grenada successfully submitted a complete reapplication for a Comparability Finding through NOAA’s International Affairs Information Capture and Reporting System (IAICRS) prior to the 1 January 2026 implementation date.
NOAA has formally acknowledged receipt of Grenada’s reapplication, and the review process is currently underway. NOAA has advised that the timing of a final determination will depend on the completion of its legal, scientific, and administrative review processes.
Actions Taken by the Government
Since receiving the initial notification, the Government has taken decisive steps to address the issues identified by NOAA. Key actions include:
- Legislative reform through the passage and gazetting of the Fisheries (Amendment) Act, 2025, which strengthens legal protections for marine mammals and establishes a statutory observer and monitoring framework
- Promulgation of the Fisheries (Marine Mammals) Regulations, 2025, which prohibit intentional harm to marine mammals, mandate reporting of interactions, and introduce penalties for non-compliance
- Development of a Marine Mammal Management Plan, aligning Grenada’s fisheries operations with international best practices and U.S. MMPA import requirements
- Strengthening monitoring and reporting systems, including the use of vessel logbooks, interaction reporting forms, and observer and electronic monitoring frameworks
- Engagement with international partners, including NOAA and FAO, to ensure technical compliance and transparency throughout the reassessment process
Public Communication and Expectations
While the Government remains hopeful that NOAA’s review will be concluded in the coming weeks, it is important to note that the final determination rests solely with U.S. authorities. As such, no definitive timeline can be guaranteed at this stage.
What can be stated with confidence is that Grenada has now completed the corrective measures required to support reassessment, and its reapplication is actively under review by NOAA.
Commitment to Fisherfolk and the Blue Economy
The Government recognizes the significant economic and social importance of the fisheries sector and remains committed to:
- Protecting fisher livelihoods and export market access
- Strengthening sustainable fisheries management
- Ensuring compliance with international trade and conservation standards
Fisherfolk and stakeholders are encouraged to continue complying with reporting and monitoring requirements, as these measures are critical to securing a positive outcome.
Further updates will be provided as soon as official communication is received from NOAA.
