By Staff Reporter
KARACHI: Pakistan has won a four-year extension to export seafood to the United States, strengthening its $465 million industry, Maritime Affairs Minister Muhammad Junaid Anwar Chaudhry said on Saturday.
The US National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) classified all Pakistani fisheries on its List of Foreign Fisheries as “comparable” under the Marine Mammal Protection Act (MMPA), the maritime ministry said in a statement.
“This classification confirms Pakistan’s fisheries meet U.S. standards for protecting marine mammals from incidental mortality and injury during fishing,” Chaudhry said.
The MMPA requires fisheries to minimize marine mammal bycatch, adopt conservation measures, and implement sustainable practices to support marine ecosystems, the ministry added.
Pakistan’s seafood exports reached $465 million in fiscal year 2025, up 13.4% in value and 8% in volume from the previous year, according to July data from the Pakistan Bureau of Statistics. The country exported 242,484 metric tons of seafood worth $489.2 million, averaging $2 per kilogramme globally.
“The decision reflects global recognition of Pakistan’s seafood quality and ensures sector stability,” Chaudhry said. “It strengthens our position in the global market, securing access to a major importer.”
The ministry projected that compliance with US standards could increase earnings, with the same export volume potentially yielding $600 million next year. It added that the endorsement may open new markets in Europe and the Gulf.
Chaudhry called the submission of a comprehensive compliance dossier to NOAA “a critical milestone,” validating Pakistan’s efforts to regulate fisheries, uphold sustainable practices, and meet international environmental standards.
“This approval is vital to protect our multi-million-dollar U.S. exports and enhance Pakistan’s reputation for responsible fisheries management,” he said, stressing the need for stronger measures to protect marine mammal populations and biodiversity.
Earlier this month, the Ministry of Commerce secured a reduction in U.S. reciprocal tariffs from 29% to 19%, the lowest in the region. Commerce Minister Jam Kamal said the revised tariffs offer “a timely opportunity to boost exports” and credited the government’s economic team and private sector.
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