Seafood is an essential item in menus across the foodservice industry, and understanding the policies that shape supply is critical to restaurant operations. One of the most significant regulations influencing the global seafood market today is the Marine Mammal Protection Act (MMPA), and more specifically, its import rule, which sets standards that foreign fisheries must meet to continue exporting seafood to the United States.

If you’re just hearing about the MMPA import regulations or are unsure how they may impact your purchasing, menu planning, or long-term sourcing strategy, here’s a clear breakdown of what the rule is, why it matters, and what operators can expect moving forward.

The MMPA was created to protect marine mammals in U.S. waters. The import rule, which is formally known as the reciprocity requirement, extends that protection globally by requiring foreign fisheries exporting seafood to the U.S. must maintain marine mammal protection standards comparable to those used in U.S. fisheries.

Seafood from fisheries that fail to meet these standards, particularly those with limited monitoring or oversite and those using high-risk gear types like gillnets, purse seines, or longlines, could be restricted from entering the U.S. market.

These restrictions reach roughly 300 commercial fisheries in 46 countries, which in turn impacts potential supply by species. Our team of specialists has outlined what is anticipated to have low, medium, and high risk of supply issues and can help operators adjust for potential menu changes as needed.

While exporting nations work through compliance, the seafood supply chain is likely to experience pressure in the near term as many producers have stopped producing for the U.S. market and shifted inventory elsewhere.

We are committed to:

• Keeping operators like you informed
• Managing supply as proactively as possible
• Minimizing disruption across key categories
• Helping you navigate substitutions or menu planning as needed

This situation continues to evolve, and we’ll be here with you every step of the way. If you have any questions, please reach out to your Shamrock Foodservice Sales Representative or ask to speak with one of our seafood specialists.