Irish salmon exports to USA to resume after NOAA ruling

Irish ministers have welcomed a US decision to reopen the American market to Irish salmon exports, after a new ruling by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) has found Ireland’s relevant fisheries comparable to US standards.

The Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine confirmed NOAA published a comparability finding on 16 March covering all relevant Irish fisheries on the US List of Foreign Fisheries. According to the department, that included salmonids and common spiny lobster, both of which had been subject to export restrictions to the United States since 1 January, due to a decision taken by NOAA in November under the Marine Mammal Protection Act (MMPA).

Minister of State for Fisheries Timmy Dooley said the outcome was "critically important" for seafood exporters and aquaculture businesses, and said he had been in touch with representatives of these sectors throughout the re-application process.

“While there are many challenges facing the seafood sector in 2026, Irish seafood remains prestigious and highly sought-after, and the United States is an important market in this regard. The fact that NOAA has found all of Ireland’s fisheries on the List of Foreign Fisheries to be comparable to U.S. standards is welcome,” Dooley stated via a press release.

Agriculture, Food and the Marine Minister Martin Heydon said the decision should give producers and exporters more confidence over continued access to the US market.

“The newly published findings valid through to December 2029, provide Ireland’s producers and exporters the certainty needed for the export of prestigious species, including Irish salmon, to the United States,” he stated.

Following the ruling last November, Irish aquaculture sector organisation IFA Aquaculture, together with the Irish Fish Processors & Exporters Association (IFPEA) called for government action to address the ban.

In a statement issued at the time, the IFA argued the US agency's decision is based on "a technical legal interpretation rather than any evidence of harm or non-compliance within Irish salmon farming operations".

IFPEA General Secretary Brendan Byrne called for "immediate diplomatic effort from all of Government to resolve this issue," arguing losing access to the US market "not only threatens jobs and investment in coastal communities but also undermines confidence in Ireland’s seafood exports globally.”

In their official statement this week, Ministers Heydon and Dooley acknowledged the role of Ireland’s embassy in Washington DC, as well as department officials who worked with both the European Commission and NOAA to resolve the issue.