In a landmark recognition for India’s seafood sector, the United States National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS), under the Department of Commerce, has officially approved India’s seafood exports as compliant with the Marine Mammal Protection Act (MMPA) standards. This approval ensures that India’s seafood shipments to the U.S. market will continue uninterrupted beyond December 31, 2025.
The NMFS assessment confirmed that all of India’s exempt and export fisheries are comparable in effectiveness to the U.S. regulatory programme, based on India’s initial application and detailed responses to follow-up queries.
The achievement marks a significant milestone for the Marine Products Export Development Authority (MPEDA), which filed the Comparability Finding Application with U.S. authorities. MPEDA, in collaboration with the ICAR–Central Marine Fisheries Research Institute (CMFRI), launched India’s first comprehensive marine mammal survey project. The initiative also involved NETFISH, Fishery Survey of India (FSI), ICAR–Central Institute of Fisheries Technology (CIFT), and the Union Departments of Fisheries and Commerce, alongside strong support from industry stakeholders.
The NMFS highlighted that India’s fisheries framework strictly prohibits the intentional killing or serious injury of marine mammals, mandates permits for all commercial fishing operations, and ensures the reporting of incidental injuries or mortalities. India has conducted visual marine mammal surveys to estimate populations and bycatch limits, along with fishermen surveys to identify bycatch by gear type, showcasing a strong commitment to scientific and regulatory oversight.
India’s approval comes at a time when other major seafood exporters, including China, Mexico, and Ecuador, were denied certification—underscoring India’s adherence to international environmental and animal welfare standards and its leadership in sustainable aquaculture.
India’s seafood exports were valued at USD 7.45 billion in FY2025, with USD 2.7 billion shipped to the United States. The NMFS approval strengthens India’s position as a responsible, sustainable, and globally trusted seafood supplier, balancing economic growth with environmental stewardship.