Alaska seafood exporters get EU catch certificate reprieve through November

Alaska seafood exporters shipping to the European Union can continue using the existing U.S. Legal Harvest Certificate through Nov. 30, 2026, NOAA Fisheries announced July 9. The EU granted the United States that extension, and NOAA will continue issuing the certificate through that date. Separately, NOAA has noted that "the EU will continue to accept U.S. catch certificates that are issued prior to January 10, 2026 until January 10, 2028." The extension also covers three data fields on the new Reported Catch certificate that had been set to become mandatory July 10: fishing gear type, expanded catch area information (FAO area, exclusive economic zone or high seas, and relevant regional fisheries management organization convention area), and the signature of a vessel master or fishing license holder. All three remain optional until the same Nov. 30 deadline.

The EU updated its illegal, unreported, and unregulated fishing rules in 2023 and created a mandatory online CATCH system requiring new data elements the current U.S. certificate does not capture. Alaska accounts for roughly 60 percent of America's domestic seafood harvest; the state carries about 48,000 directed seafood jobs and more than 140 coastal communities tied to the seafood economy.

Alaska seafood industry representatives had formally requested that EU and U.S. officials extend the grace period and make meaningful system adjustments so shipments can keep moving without disruption. In their own words, "Representatives of the Alaska seafood industry respectfully request that EU and US officials: 1) Extend the current grace period beyond July 10, 2026, to allow for meaningful system adjustments." NOAA says it is continuing to negotiate with the EU for longer-term flexibilities that better align with business practices and confidentiality needs while still meeting the EU's traceability and IUU fishing prevention goals.

Exporters may continue requesting the current U.S. Legal Harvest Certificate until NOAA communicates otherwise. NOAA cautions that delays may occur when Reported CATCH documentation is requested too late. Exporters experiencing border-clearance problems can contact [email protected], as NOAA has stated: "Please contact [email protected] if you encounter any issues with any shipments getting cleared at the border due to the certificate issues."