Grenada has implemented comprehensive new fisheries regulations establishing robust protections for marine mammals within its territorial waters. Published in the 5 December Government Gazette as Statutory Rules and Order (SRO) 43 of 2025, these regulations introduce significant penalties for violations, including fines up to EC$100,000 (approximately US$37,000) and potential imprisonment.
The legislative framework mandates specific protocols for fishermen encountering marine mammals during operations. Vessel operators are now required to immediately release any accidentally captured or entangled mammals using methods that minimize stress and harm. The regulations further stipulate that crew members must assist in release operations unless personal safety is compromised.
Protected species under the new rules include multiple cetaceans and marine mammals found in Grenadian waters: Humpback Whales, Sperm Whales, various dolphin species (Bottlenose, Spinner, and Atlantic Spotted), Pilot Whales, False Killer Whales, Pygmy Sperm Whales, West Indian Manatees, and seals. For unidentified species, the regulations require photographic documentation and detailed reporting to the Fisheries Division for scientific verification.
This regulatory overhaul directly addresses compliance requirements under the US Marine Mammal Protection Act, successfully averting a scheduled January 2026 ban on Grenadian fish and fish products entering the American market. The potential embargo, announced in August 2025, threatened an industry generating over EC$50 million annually for the island nation.
The legislation does include limited exemptions for scientific research authorized by the Minister and emergency situations where human life or marine mammal welfare is imminently endangered. In such cases, individuals must exercise reasonable care during interventions and report any takings or harassment incidents to the Chief Fisheries Officer within 48 hours.
Grenada’s parliamentary approval process saw both legislative chambers endorsing amendments to the Fisheries Act approximately three weeks prior to the regulations’ official publication, demonstrating coordinated governmental action to protect both marine ecosystems and economic interests.