Sealing the deal: assurances put Irish salmon back on the menu for US consumers

In November last year, Ireland’s Sea Fisheries Protection Authority said that exports of Irish farmed salmon would cease as from 1 January. The reason was a finding by the US National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) that Ireland’s provisions for the protection of marine mammals – specifically, seals – were not compatible with US regulations.

NMFS, more commonly known as NOAA Fisheries, found that Ireland had not provided sufficient documentary evidence regarding the prohibition on intentional killing of seals associated with its aquaculture fishery or tangle net fishery – a form of catch fishing similar to gill nets, but with looser, larger mesh – and the circumstances surrounding future permitting exceptions for intentional lethal removal of nuisance seals associated with these fisheries.

Ireland has now provided written documentation that it will no longer issue permits authorising the lethal removal of seals in any of its fisheries in the future, and these seems to have been enough to convince NOAA that Irish fishery rules are now compatible with those in the US.

Seals are protected under Irish law, but the law also provides an opportunity to apply for a permit, granted by ministerial authority, for the intentional killing of seals. What has changed is that the Irish government has said that such permits will no longer be granted.

Ireland’s salmon exports in 2025 were estimated at €110 million (£86.5m), up 7% on the back of a 16% increase in volumes. While Irish salmon represents only a small percentage of salmon imports for the USA, it is generally considered a premium product, as virtually all the production is certified organic, commanding a higher price in the US market.