FINANCIAL CHRONICLE – The United States has lifted a temporary ban on the import of blue swimming crabs from Sri Lanka, following the island’s adherence to the stringent requirements of the Marine Mammal Protection Act (MMPA), as announced by the Fisheries Ministry.
Last October, U.S. authorities had imposed an export ban on Sri Lankan blue swimming crabs after a lawsuit claimed that the relevant agency had breached administrative protocols by not recognizing comparability findings for 240 fisheries across 46 nations, which included Sri Lanka.
The Fisheries Ministry reported that the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) reassessed its previous ruling and granted approval based on scientific evidence provided by the Department of Fisheries, the National Aquatic Resources Research and Development Agency (NARA), and other pertinent organizations.
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This decision came after Sri Lanka successfully met the rigorous stipulations of the MMPA that the U.S. requires for fish product imports.
NOAA, which operates under the U.S. Department of Commerce, officially confirmed that the crab harvesting methods and regulations in Sri Lanka are effectively comparable to those applied in the U.S.
Despite a U.S. court ruling in November 2025 that had temporarily affected these exports, NOAA’s reevaluation led to this approval, supported by scientific data from Sri Lanka’s fisheries authorities.
With this latest endorsement, Sri Lanka has received the essential comparability finding certificate needed for exporting fish products to the U.S., which is valid until December 31, 2029, ensuring a steady flow of blue swimming crab exports during this period.
The recognition also highlights the effectiveness of Sri Lanka’s fishing practices, which aim to protect marine mammals such as dolphins and whales from harm during the harvesting process. (Colombo/May 11/2026)
