Pakistan has secured a four-year extension for the export of fish and fish-related products to the United States, Minister for Maritime Affairs Muhammad Junaid Anwar Chaudhry said on Saturday.

In his statement, the minister said that this decision is a recognition of the quality of Pakistan’s seafood on the global stage and will provide long-term stability to the country’s fisheries sector.

“This extension will strengthen Pakistan’s position in the global seafood market and ensure continued access to one of the world’s largest seafood importers,” he said.

Chaudhry explained that the United States National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) has classified all Pakistani fisheries listed on its List of Foreign Fisheries (LOFF) as “comparable” under the Marine Mammal Protection Act (MMPA).

“This classification confirms that Pakistan’s fisheries meet US standards for protecting marine mammals from incidental mortality and serious injury during fishing operations,” he added.

The MMPA requires fisheries to minimise marine mammal bycatch, adopt conservation practices, and ensure sustainable fishing measures that contribute to healthier marine ecosystems.

Currently, Pakistani seafood earns approximately $2 per kilogram in the global market.

With this international endorsement of compliance, the price is expected to rise, opening new markets in Europe and the Gulf.

In FY 2024–25, Pakistan exported 242,484 metric tonnes of fish and related products, valued at $489.2 million.

If export volumes remain the same in the coming year, Pakistan could generate nearly $600 million from seafood exports.

Chaudhry pointed out that Pakistan’s successful submission of a comprehensive compliance dossier to NOAA under the MMPA marked a critical milestone.

“This acceptance validates Pakistan’s ongoing efforts to regulate its commercial fisheries, uphold sustainable fishing practices, and align with international environmental standards,” he explained.

He further emphasised that the approval is crucial to safeguard Pakistan’s multi-million-dollar seafood exports to the US market, enhancing the country’s reputation for responsible and sustainable fisheries management on the global stage.

However, the minister also stressed the importance of continuous improvements in protective measures for marine mammal populations, as recommended by NOAA, to ensure the long-term sustainability of marine biodiversity.