Morocco has received official recognition from the U.S. National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA Fisheries), confirming that its fisheries comply with the provisions of the U.S. Marine Mammal Protection Act, the State Secretariat for Maritime Fisheries announced Friday. This certification, valid from January 1, 2026, to December 31, 2029, represents a decisive step that will allow the Kingdom to continue exporting seafood products to the U.S. market, unless otherwise decided by NOAA during this period, the Secretariat said in a press release. The recognition follows a review by the relevant U.S. authorities of Morocco's compliance application, which concluded that all national fisheries listed under the «List of Foreign Fisheries» now meet U.S. standards. According to the Secretariat, this strategic milestone will reinforce the presence and competitiveness of Moroccan seafood in one of the world's largest markets, while also strengthening international consumers' and importers' confidence in the Kingdom's commitment to environmental standards and sustainability in fisheries management. This recognition also reflects the maturity of Morocco's public policies for preserving marine resources, achieved through the adoption of concrete and effective measures that ensure their sustainability and optimal use. It forms part of Morocco's ongoing efforts to boost the competitiveness of its fisheries sector, expand the integration of national products into global markets in line with the objectives of the national fisheries development and promotion strategy, and confirm the country's ability to balance economic growth with the sustainable preservation of marine resources, the press release concluded.
