President Donald Trump’s executive order aimed at bolstering the U.S. commercial fishing industry has been met with both approval from commercial fishing groups and criticism from environmental organizations. The executive order has raised concerns among conservationists who fear that reducing regulations could further harm fish populations already in decline in certain ocean areas.
The order marks a significant shift in federal fishing policy, placing greater emphasis on commercial fishing interests over conservation efforts designed to help fish populations recover. The president characterized the decision as straightforward, suggesting it would enhance the U.S. commercial fishing industry by reducing regulations and allowing harvests in previously protected zones.
Trump expressed a desire for the United States to become the leading global force in seafood, citing a seafood trade deficit exceeding $20 billion. However, environmental groups underscore the importance of the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act, which has directed U.S. fishery management for almost half a century and aims to combat overfishing. Conservationists are concerned that the number of fish stocks on the federal overfished list, which rose from 40 in 2013 to 47 in 2023, may continue to grow if regulations are weakened.
Beth Lowell, vice president of the conservation group Oceana, expressed concern that the executive orders undermine essential protections for the oceans, economy, and seafood supply. She noted that a science-based approach to fisheries management has historically helped rebuild declining stocks, sustained American fisheries, and preserved significant habitats and wildlife.
Certain fishing sectors, particularly in the Northeast – including once-thriving Maine shrimp and Atlantic cod industries – have been significantly affected by environmental changes and overfishing. Species on the West Coast, like some types of salmon, have also seen declines. However, there have been successful efforts to remove certain stocks, like Atlantic coast bluefish and coho salmon on the Washington coast, from the overfished list.
Some representatives from the fishing industry welcome Trump’s executive order, with Lisa Wallenda Picard, president and CEO of the National Fisheries Institute in Virginia, describing it as a potential lifeline for American fishermen. She emphasized that the order proposes strategic actions to benefit all parts of the supply chain, reducing regulatory burdens while promoting the benefits of seafood consumption.
On the same day the executive order was issued, Trump also proclaimed the allowance of commercial fishing in the Pacific Islands Heritage Marine National Monument, established by President George W. Bush in 2009. Environmental groups criticized this move, arguing that it poses a threat to one of the world’s most pristine marine environments, already vulnerable to climate change and ocean acidification.
The Trump administration argues that existing restrictions, such as catch limits and competition with wind power companies, have limited the potential of the U.S. fishing industry. The executive order tasks Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick with identifying overregulated fisheries and taking steps to alleviate regulatory burdens. Additionally, it calls for the development of a comprehensive seafood trade strategy and a review of existing marine monuments to determine which areas could be opened to commercial fishing. This executive order reiterates Trump’s previous efforts to target marine monuments during his first term.
