#United States #New York City #Marine Mammal Protection #Restaurant Law Center #Seafood Coalition

Restaurant Coalition Sues NOAA Over Seafood Import Ban

In a significant legal action, the Restaurant Law Center, in conjunction with the National Fisheries Institute and several key seafood suppliers, has initiated a lawsuit against the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA). This lawsuit challenges NOAA's recent implementation of the Marine Mammal Protection Act (MMPA), which comes with severe implications for American restaurants and their operational frameworks.

The crux of the lawsuit focuses on a decision made by NOAA on September 2, 2025, which imposes an extensive import ban set to take effect on January 1, 2026. This ban targets specific fisheries responsible for supplying the bulk of certain seafood products critical to American dining establishments. Angelo Amador, Executive Director of the Restaurant Law Center, stated, "This is not about opposing the Marine Mammal Protection Act—we support its goals. However, NOAA's rushed and obscure implementation threatens to disrupt seafood supply lines essential for restaurants across the nation. Without access to these products, many outlets will have to remove popular seafood offerings, increase prices, or even close their doors."

The Restaurant Law Center, the sole public policy entity specifically advocating for the foodservice industry in legal disputes, has joined this lawsuit to safeguard the interests of over one million restaurants and foodservice providers throughout the United States. They argue that NOAA neglected to account for the ramifications of its decision on U.S. businesses, violating the Administrative Procedure Act. Amador highlighted the precarious situation: "Restaurants are already contending with slim profit margins and labor shortages. This sudden ban—announced with only four months' notice—will lead to menu changes, breached contracts, and job losses in the foodservice sector. NOAA's lack of engagement with stakeholders or consideration of the economic impact is not only irresponsible but also unlawful."

The plaintiffs—ranging from seafood processors to importers and distributors—underscore that there are no feasible domestic substitutes for the imports that would be barred. U.S. fisheries lack the capacity to meet the required volume, quality, or form needed by the restaurant industry. Furthermore, many foreign fisheries affected by this ban have heavily invested in sustainable practices and bycatch reduction, yet they face exclusion due to procedural oversights rather than actual conservation results. The lawsuit has been formally filed in the U.S. Court of International Trade in New York City. The plaintiffs are urging the Court to nullify these import bans and instruct NOAA to reevaluate its determinations in a manner that is lawful and aligned with the spirit of the MMPA, considering the realities of the global seafood supply chain. Such an approach not only makes sense from an economic standpoint but also ensures that restaurants can continue to serve their patrons without facing debilitating disruptions in their seafood offerings.

As this case unfolds, the restaurant industry watches closely, as the outcome could dictate the future of seafood sourcing in the American food scene and affect millions of jobs reliant on a stable supply of seafood products.