NOAA Fisheries has confirmed that South Africa is among ten African nations granted full approval to export fish and fish products from all marine fisheries to the United States starting January 2026. The announcement follows NOAA’s enforcement of the Marine Mammal Protection Act (MMPA), which sets stringent standards for foreign fisheries seeking access to the U.S. market.

In September, NOAA ruled that 240 fisheries across 46 countries failed to meet MMPA requirements and would be barred from exporting to the U.S. Among African nations affected were Cameroon, Ghana, Kenya, Liberia, Madagascar, Mauritania, Mozambique, Nigeria, Senegal, and Somalia. In contrast, South Africa, along with Morocco, Seychelles, Mauritius, Egypt, Côte d’Ivoire, Cape Verde, Sierra Leone, Tanzania, and Tunisia, met all compliance criteria.

Saasa Pheeha, Chief Director of Marine Resources Management at South Africa’s Department of Forestry, Fisheries, and the Environment (DFFE), said the country began engaging NOAA in October 2021. South Africa submitted extensive documentation to demonstrate its regulatory framework, including strict bycatch mitigation measures and adherence to ecosystem-based fisheries management under the Marine Living Aquatic Resources Act.

NOAA cited South Africa’s thorough application and responsive engagement during the review process as key factors in its approval. The agency also noted that South Africa’s fisheries do not interact with any marine mammal stocks at high risk of extinction and that the country prioritizes mitigation in high-risk sectors.

Pheeha expects U.S. demand for South African seafood to rise, especially as other countries lose access. While the U.S. is not currently a top destination compared to the EU, China, or Japan, he anticipates growth in market share post-January 2026. However, he cautioned that unpredictable U.S. trade policies could affect outcomes.

The MMPA determinations have sparked backlash in the U.S., including a lawsuit from seafood importers and industry groups like the National Fisheries Institute (NFI) and the Restaurant Law Center. NFI’s Chief Strategy Officer Gavin Gibbons criticized the bans, arguing they are based on regulatory technicalities rather than actual harm to marine mammals. He warned of economic fallout for American distributors, foodservice providers, and restaurants, claiming NOAA failed to consult stakeholders during its decade-long assessment.

Despite the controversy, South Africa’s approval positions it to benefit from expanded access to the U.S. seafood market, reinforcing its reputation for sustainable fisheries management and regulatory compliance.