New Zealand Fisheries Pass U.S. Dolphin-Safe Fish Test
Published Date: 3/11/2026
Notice
Summary
The U.S. says New Zealand’s fishing methods meet our marine mammal protection rules, so their fish and fish products can keep coming into the U.S. This approval covers certain New Zealand fisheries from March 2026 through the end of 2029. Fish importers and sellers can keep trading without new fees or delays during this time.
Analyzed Economic Effects
2 provisions identified: 2 benefits, 0 costs, 0 mixed.
Imports from New Zealand Fisheries Continue
The U.S. found New Zealand’s North Island and South Island multi-species set net and trawl fisheries comparable, allowing continued importation of fish and fish products harvested by Fishery IDs 1883, 1968, 1969, 1977, 1978, 2041, 2046, 2047, 2051, 2052, 2053, 2054, 2064, 2067, and 2077. This comparability is in effect from March 11, 2026 through December 31, 2029.
No New Fees or Delays for Traders
NMFS states that fish importers and sellers can keep trading fish and fish products from the approved New Zealand fisheries without new fees or delays while the comparability findings are in effect (March 11, 2026 through December 31, 2029). This preserves current trade flow for those products during that period.
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