ST. GEORGE’S, Grenada, CMC – The Grenadian authorities mentioned on Tuesday that it’s working in the direction of having a United States ban on fish exports to the North American nation lifted earlier than 2027.
On August 29, the Nationwide Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) Fisheries Division introduced that Grenada can be banned from exporting fish and fish merchandise to the US market as of January 2026, because of its failure to submit comparability discovering determinations below the Marine Mammal Safety Act Import Provisions.
“The Ministry is working collaboratively with stakeholders, authorized consultants, and companions to revive entry to the US seafood market in 2026 and to uphold Grenada’s fame for accountable marine stewardship,” based on a press release issued by the Ministry of Marine Affairs.
“Public consultations can be held to maintain stakeholders knowledgeable and to ask suggestions,” the ministry mentioned after Washington indicated that the ban would take impact from January 2026.
The federal government acknowledged that the US market is important to Grenada’s fishing neighborhood, including that it’s working to turn out to be compliant with the related US laws.
“We’re appearing swiftly to shut the recognized gaps – by pressing authorized reform, stronger monitoring, and shut engagement with worldwide companions – so Grenada can restore U.S. market entry as rapidly as potential in 2026.”
Nonetheless, the authorities acknowledge that some rapid actions underway embrace legislative, monitoring, and reporting, in addition to reapplication for comparability in early 2026.
The ministry acknowledged that the plan is to amend the related laws by the tip of the fourth quarter of 2025 and, concurrently, expedite laws to ban the intentional killing or severe harm of marine mammals in industrial fisheries.
The federal government acknowledged that it’ll additionally set up penalties and enforcement mechanisms by the tip of the fourth quarter of 2025.
“Introduce obligatory reporting of all marine mammal interactions; improve monitoring at sea and at touchdown websites,” mentioned the ministry, including that it’ll submit a brand new comparability software to the NOAA with up to date legal guidelines, enforcement provisions, and monitoring proof in early 2026.
The authorities mentioned they’re additionally looking for stakeholder assist over the past quarter of 2025 and into 2026 to supply steering and technical help to fishers and exporters through the transition, and on the similar time interact the United Nations Meals and Agriculture Group (FAO), the Organisation of Japanese Caribbean States (OECS), and US counterparts for technical assist and capability constructing.
The discharge explains that the US import restrictions don’t have an effect on Grenada’s capability to fish, promote domestically, or commerce in different markets.
The 2024 mid-year assessment, laid within the Homes of Parliament as a public doc, famous that there are over 3,000 lively fisherfolk and greater than 900 fishing vessels registered with the fisheries division. The variety of individuals employed on this business represents over 7% of the employed labour power.
In the course of the first quarter of 2025, information from the Ministry of Finance confirmed a 1% improve in fish exports, primarily to the US market, notably alongside the Japanese Seaboard.
The income is estimated to be greater than EC$50 million (One EC greenback equals 0.37 cents) yearly.
