The U.S. will no longer allow the import of seafood linked to the bycatch of marine mammals. Each year, over 650,000 marine mammals, including seals, whales, and dolphins, are killed by entanglements in fishing nets. Even those who survive endure serious, lifelong injuries, according to experts.
While the U.S. has regulations to protect marine mammals, its jurisdiction does not extend to foreign waters from which seafood is imported. Nearly 80% of the seafood entering the U.S. originates from foreign waters. Domestic fishers who adhere to U.S. guidelines will likely benefit from the ban, as many grocery stores and restaurants are expected to look toward U.S. waters for responsibly sourced seafood. The ban will take effect in January 2026; learn more about it here.
