US extends Pakistan’s fishing operations’ exemption period

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan has achieved a remarkable global milestone as the US Department of Commerce and the National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) has granted a two-year extension to the exemption period — for commercial fishing operations, allowing export of fish and fish products to the United States to December 31, 2025.

According to the Ministry of Maritime Affairs, the extension distinguishes Pakistan among a select few out of 130 countries.

“This significant development extends the deadline for comparability findings for commercial fishing operations, exporting fish and fish products to the United States to December 31, 2025,” the Ministry of Maritime Affairs said.

The regulations initially grant foreign nations a five-year exemption period to develop regulatory programs addressing marine mammal bycatch comparable to US standards.

Originally set to conclude on 31st of the next month, this exemption period has now been extended.

This achievement is a testament to Pakistan’s commitment to aligning its fishing practices with the highest international standards. The extension underscores Pakistan’s dedication to upholding the objectives of the Marine Mammal Protection Act while navigating the practical challenges of evaluating regulatory programs in foreign countries.

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This also sets a powerful precedent for other nations to follow suit, demonstrating Pakistan’s committment in sustainable marine resource management.

This extension represents a notable revision to the regulations implementing the import provisions of the Marine Mammal Protection Act (MMPA), initially introduced in 2016.

The regulations initially granted foreign nations a five-year exemption period to develop regulatory programmes addressing marine mammal bycatch comparable to US standards.

Originally set to conclude on December 31, 2023, this exemption period has now been extended.

The NMFS, entrusted with evaluating each nation’s regulatory programmes, acknowledges the complexity of assessing the incidental and intentional mortality and serious injury of marine mammals in fisheries exporting to the US.

The US Department of Commerce and the NMFS have determined that additional time was necessary to ensure fair and consistent comparability determinations across harvesting nations.