National Marine Fisheries Service Lifts Yellowfin Tuna Import Prohibition for Panama under the Tuna Tracking and Verification Program

The National Marine Fisheries Service (NOAA Fisheries) issued an affirmative finding to Panama for a period of five years, effective April 1, 2026, through March 31, 2031. This affirmative finding lifts the embargo imposed on Panama in 2000 for yellowfin tuna and yellowfin tuna products harvested in the eastern tropical Pacific Ocean by purse seine vessel (https://www.federalregister.gov/public-inspection/2026-07298/taking-or-importing-of-marine-mammals [ https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2026/04/15/2026-07298/taking-and-importing-of-marine-mammals ]).
In addition, NOAA Fisheries renewed affirmative findings for the countries of Colombia, Ecuador, El Salvador, Guatemala, Mexico, Peru, and Spain, effective for a period of one year, beginning April 1, 2026, through March 31, 2027 (https://www.federalregister.gov/public-inspection/2026-07293/taking-or-importing-of-marine-mammals [ https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2026/04/15/2026-07293/taking-and-importing-of-marine-mammals ]).
More information about NOAA Fisheries' affirmative findings and yellowfin tuna import restrictions is available online: https://www.fisheries.noaa.gov/national/marine-mammal-protection/resources-us-importers
Questions can be directed to NOAA Fisheries at: swrtuna.track@noaa.gov