Thousands of workers in the Philippine blue swimming crab industry could be affected after the United States (US) barred imports of the country’s crab products beginning June 11, 2026, citing non-compliance with American marine mammal protection requirements.
The ban covers all blue swimming crab shipments associated with Philippine Fishery IDs 2129 and 2130 under the US Marine Mammal Protection Act Import Provisions.
The move threatens one of the country’s most important seafood export markets. The United States buys about 90 percent of Philippine blue swimming crab exports, a trade valued at an estimated $50 million to $60 million annually.
The US National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) said Philippine authorities failed to provide sufficient information showing that local fisheries operate under marine mammal protection measures comparable to those required in the United States.
NOAA also said it could not determine whether bycatch, or the accidental capture of marine mammals and other non-target species during fishing operations, remains within acceptable limits.
With the ban set to take effect, the Confederation of Philippine Exporters (Cebu) Foundation Inc. has called on the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) to immediately address the compliance gaps identified by US regulators.
In a position paper submitted on June 1, 2026, the group described the issue as “a matter of national economic urgency,” warning that the suspension could disrupt thousands of livelihoods linked to fishing, processing, and export operations.
The exporters also cautioned that prolonged restrictions could result in the loss of market share to competing countries and inflict lasting damage on the reputation of Philippine seafood products in the global market.
Despite the setback, the organization backed stronger conservation measures, saying the situation should be used as an opportunity to improve fisheries management and strengthen compliance with international standards.
Among its recommendations, the group urged BFAR to establish a national bycatch monitoring system, require reporting of all marine mammal interactions, strengthen scientific data collection, develop mitigation measures, and form a compliance task force to work with US authorities toward restoring access to the American market.*
