Pakistan has secured authorisation to continue seafood exports to the United States for another four years, a development hailed as a major boost for the country’s fisheries sector. Minister for Maritime Affairs Muhammad Junaid Anwar Chaudhry confirmed the approval on Saturday, noting that it would provide long-term stability and open new opportunities in the global market.
According to the Pakistan Bureau of Statistics (PBS), seafood exports rose to $465 million in FY25, showing a 13.4 per cent increase in value and an 8 per cent growth in quantity compared to the previous year.
The US National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) classified all Pakistani fisheries listed on its List of Foreign Fisheries as “comparable” under the Marine Mammal Protection Act (MMPA), confirming compliance with international standards for safeguarding marine mammals.
Chaudhry described the approval as international recognition of Pakistan’s commitment to sustainable fishing. The MMPA requires fisheries to minimise marine mammal bycatch, adopt conservation practices, and ensure long-term ecosystem protection.
He emphasised that the endorsement not only secures access to one of the world’s largest seafood markets but also strengthens Pakistan’s global reputation for responsible fisheries management.
The maritime ministry highlighted that Pakistan currently earns about $2 per kilogramme in the global market. With compliance validation, the price is projected to rise, potentially unlocking new export destinations in Europe and the Gulf.
In FY25, Pakistan exported 242,484 metric tons of seafood worth $489.2 million, and maintaining the same volume next year could generate nearly $600 million.
The minister credited the successful submission of a compliance dossier to NOAA as a “critical milestone” in securing this approval. He stressed the importance of enhancing marine protection measures to sustain biodiversity.
Meanwhile, the Ministry of Commerce noted that Pakistan had also negotiated a reduction in reciprocal tariffs on seafood exports to the US from 29pc to 19pc — the lowest in the region — offering exporters a strong competitive edge.
