Former President Joe Biden (D) made “marine sustainability” a priority of his administration, but his decision to revoke visas for executives at an Ecuadorian seafood company may have disrupted global efforts to promote sustainable fishing.
In 2021, the Biden administration revoked visas held by executives at Negocios Industriales Real S.A. (NIRSA), a vertically integrated seafood company based in Guayaquil. The visa revocations came without formal charges, without explanation, and without a clear process for appeal, according to previous reporting from Business Daily Network and Federal Newswire.
The penalties have disrupted NIRSA’s expansion plans. The company supplies canned tuna, shrimp, and other seafood products to major U.S. grocery chains and plays a significant role in Ecuador’s marine economy.
The visa restrictions remain in place while Ecuador’s fishing industry continues to make strides in advancing sustainable practices. The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) recently announced a sustainable fisheries initiative in Ecuador through its Green Commodities Programme, promoting supply chain transformation and multi-stakeholder collaboration. NIRSA is among the companies participating in this effort.
Ecuador hosts the largest artisanal fishing fleet in the Southeast Pacific, employing approximately 58,000 people and contributing 1.5% to the country’s GDP through its marine commodity supply chain. Supported by the UNDP’s Global Marine Commodities project, Ecuador’s sustainability efforts engage over 100,000 people through collaborative platforms and national action plans. A recent $1.5 million investment from Ecuador’s fish reduction industry further boosted the country's sustainability efforts.
NIRSA’s specific sustainability measures include registering all tuna vessels under the Proactive Vessels Register (PVR) and participating in the TUNACONS Foundation to advance biodegradable fishing gear, bycatch reduction, and traceable supply chains. The company also maintains certifications such as Marine Stewardship Council (MSC) and Dolphin Safe, upholds strict anti-IUU fishing policies, and invests in technologies like the Arrue Excluder to minimize environmental impacts.
The Biden Administration’s actions toward NIRSA conflict with broader “marine sustainability” efforts.
“From the air we breathe to the food we eat, our magnificent ocean touches every aspect of our lives,” said Biden in a 2022 proclamation for World Oceans Month. “It helps regulate the climate, supports millions of jobs, and serves as a place for exploration, commerce, and recreation.”
“As it sustains and connects us, the ocean is woven into the cultures of local and Indigenous coastal and island communities,” said Biden.
In June 2021, the United States joined the United Nations Environment Programme’s Clean Seas Campaign, pledging to combat marine litter and plastic pollution as part of broader efforts to restore ocean health.
Under Biden, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) also announced a "National Five-Year Strategy for Combating Illegal, Unreported, and Unregulated Fishing."
“Illegal, Unreported and Unregulated (IUU) fishing is a global problem affecting ocean ecosystems, threatening economic and food security and putting law-abiding fishermen and seafood producers at a disadvantage,” NOAA said. “The strategy details U.S. priorities and plans over the next five years to combat IUU fishing and promote maritime security worldwide.”
Despite these initiatives, the administration’s visa sanctions against NIRSA stand in contrast to the goals of promoting legal, transparent, and sustainable fishing operations.
NIRSA’s tuna fleet, for example, is registered under the Proactive Vessels Register (PVR) and participates in the TUNACONS Foundation, both of which promote transparency, observer coverage, and technologies aimed at combatting IUU fishing.
U.S. State Department media officials have declined Federal Newswire’s requests for comment on the NIRSA visa revocation issue.
NIRSA and the global seafood industry await the Trump Administration’s decision on whether to maintain the visa restrictions or to reevaluate NIRSA’s standing in light of its sustainability efforts.
