ST. GEORGE’S, Grenada, CMC – The Grenadian government said on Tuesday that it is working towards having a United States ban on fish exports to the North American country lifted before 2027.
On August 29, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) Fisheries Department announced that Grenada will be banned from exporting fish and fish products to the US market as of January 2026, due to its failure to submit comparability finding determinations under the Marine Mammal Protection Act Import Provisions.
“The Ministry is working collaboratively with stakeholders, legal experts, and partners to restore access to the US seafood market in 2026 and to uphold Grenada’s reputation for responsible marine stewardship,” according to a statement issued by the Ministry of Marine Affairs.
“Public consultations will be held to keep stakeholders informed and to invite recommendations,” the ministry said after Washington indicated that the ban would take effect from January 2026.
The government acknowledged that the US market is vital to Grenada’s fishing community, adding that it is working to become compliant with the relevant US regulations.
“We are acting swiftly to close the identified gaps – through urgent legal reform, stronger monitoring, and close engagement with international partners – so Grenada can restore U.S. market access as quickly as possible in 2026.”
However, the authorities acknowledge that some immediate actions underway include legislative, monitoring, and reporting, as well as reapplication for comparability in early 2026.
The ministry stated that the plan is to amend the relevant legislation by the end of the fourth quarter of 2025 and, simultaneously, expedite regulations to prohibit the intentional killing or serious injury of marine mammals in commercial fisheries.
The government stated that it will also establish penalties and enforcement mechanisms by the end of the fourth quarter of 2025.
“Introduce mandatory reporting of all marine mammal interactions; enhance monitoring at sea and at landing sites,” said the ministry, adding that it will submit a new comparability application to the NOAA with updated laws, enforcement provisions, and monitoring evidence in early 2026.
The authorities said they are also seeking stakeholder support during the last quarter of 2025 and into 2026 to provide guidance and technical assistance to fishers and exporters during the transition, and at the same time engage the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), the Organisation of Eastern Caribbean States (OECS), and US counterparts for technical support and capacity building.
The release explains that the US import restrictions do not affect Grenada’s ability to fish, sell locally, or trade in other markets.
The 2024 mid-year review, laid in the Houses of Parliament as a public document, noted that there are over 3,000 active fisherfolk and more than 900 fishing vessels registered with the fisheries division. The number of persons employed in this industry represents over 7% of the employed labour force.
During the first quarter of 2025, data from the Ministry of Finance showed a 1% increase in fish exports, primarily to the United States market, particularly along the Eastern Seaboard.
The revenue is estimated to be more than EC$50 million (One EC dollar equals 0.37 cents) annually.
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