President Donald Trump’s recent executive order aims to revitalize the U.S. commercial fishing industry by reducing regulations and allowing access to previously protected areas. This decision has garnered praise from commercial fishing groups but has also provoked concern from environmental organizations who fear the potential impact on already depleted fish populations.
The executive order signifies a significant shift in federal policy, placing commercial fishing interests above efforts to bolster fish populations. The president expressed confidence in the decision, emphasizing its role in enhancing the U.S. commercial fishing sector and addressing the nation’s seafood trade deficit, which exceeds $20 billion.
Environmental groups are advocating for reliance on the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act, a longstanding framework for U.S. fishery management aimed at preventing overfishing. Concerns are heightened by the increase in fish stocks classified as overfished, which has risen from 40 in 2013 to 47 in 2023. Conservationists fear that the relaxation of regulations could exacerbate this trend.
Beth Lowell, vice president of Oceana, a conservation organization, warned that loosening regulations undermines protections for oceans, ecosystems, and the seafood industry. Historically, the science-based approach to fisheries management in the U.S. has contributed to the rebuilding of depleted stocks and the sustenance of American fishers.
Various sectors within the fishing industry, particularly in the Northeast and the West Coast, have been adversely affected by environmental shifts and overfishing. Historically profitable fisheries, such as those for Maine shrimp and Atlantic cod, have suffered, while some West Coast salmon species have faced depletion. Nonetheless, there have been successes, including the removal of certain fish stocks from the overfished list.
Supporters of the executive order, such as Lisa Wallenda Picard, president and CEO of the National Fisheries Institute, regard the changes as strategic and potentially life-saving for American fishermen. The order is seen as beneficial for the entire supply chain, from fishermen to consumers, by reducing regulatory burdens and promoting seafood’s nutritional benefits.
On the same day the executive order was issued, President Trump also proclaimed the reopening of commercial fishing in the Pacific Islands Heritage Marine National Monument. Previously established by President George W. Bush, this monument comprises approximately 495,189 square miles in the central Pacific Ocean. Environmental organizations have criticized this move, citing threats to one of the world’s most pristine tropical marine environments.
Conservation group Earthjustice, represented by attorney David Henkin, has expressed a commitment to protecting the monument from attempts to weaken its protections. In contrast, the Trump administration argues that existing restrictions, including catch limits and competition for fishing grounds, have hindered the fishing industry.
The executive order mandates Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick to identify heavily regulated fisheries needing action and to devise strategies to alleviate regulatory pressures. It also calls for regional fishing managers to enhance domestic fishing production. Additionally, the order seeks to develop a comprehensive seafood trade strategy and reassess existing marine monuments for potential openings to commercial fishing.