Vietnamese swimming crab exports have received a temporary reprieve from a U.S. import ban, providing short-term support for a crucial market.
The U.S. International Trade Court on October 31 suspended a lawsuit involving the National Fisheries Institute, the National Restaurant Association, and several U.S. seafood companies challenging the Marine Mammal Protection Act (MMPA), according to the Vietnam Association of Seafood Exporters and Producers (VASEP).
The suspension postpones the ban, originally scheduled for January 1, 2026, affecting crabs from Vietnam, the Philippines, Indonesia, and Sri Lanka. The measure will remain while the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) and the National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) review “comparability findings,” assessing how export countries’ marine mammal protections align with U.S. standards.
Vietnam and other affected countries have at least 60 days to submit additional information. NMFS will consult directly with fisheries authorities and provide guidance on required documentation. After the review, NMFS will have 120 days to issue a final decision and notify each country.
Experts said the temporary suspension benefits Vietnamese swimming crab exports, though the final outcome depends on the quality of information submitted within the 60-day window. Close coordination among authorities, industry associations, and exporters is critical to demonstrate compliance with marine mammal protection regulations.
VFM
