



Affirmative findings help ensure that nations importing yellowfin tuna comply with U.S. environmental laws and requirements regarding dolphin-safe tuna.
An affirmative finding is a set of criteria the United States imposes on nations wishing to import yellowfin tuna into the country. Affirmative findings help ensure that the importing nation complies with U.S. environmental laws and requirements regarding dolphin-safe tuna.
A portion of the U.S. Marine Mammal Protection Act (MMPA) addresses the eastern tropical Pacific Ocean (ETP) tuna purse seine fishery and the importation of yellowfin tuna from nations participating in this fishery. Under the MMPA, the United States maintains its embargo of yellowfin tuna from nations whose large purse seine vessels (having a carrying capacity greater than 400 short tons (362.8 metric tons)) harvest ETP tuna unless the harvesting nation obtains an affirmative finding from NOAA Fisheries.
The MMPA affirmative finding requires that the harvesting nation meets the following conditions related to compliance with the International Dolphin Conservation Program (IDCP):