President Trump signs Executive Order to boost U.S. seafood sector, cutting red tape and targeting unfair foreign trade. Above: Maine Lobsters
,President Pushes “America First” Strategy to Reclaim Seafood Sector
In a sweeping new Executive Order signed on 17 April 2025, U.S. President Donald J. Trump unveiled a bold plan to revitalise American seafood competitiveness by slashing regulations, protecting domestic production from foreign abuses, and enhancing exports.
Titled the “Restoring American Seafood Competitiveness“, the order mandates urgent reforms across U.S. fisheries policy, including a top-to-bottom review of burdensome rules, modernisation of fisheries management practices, and a clampdown on illegal imports.
“We import seafood and we have the greatest coastline in the world,” said Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick at the signing. “Imagine that?” The order demands that the Department of Commerce and the National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) reassess and remove regulations hindering productivity in commercial fishing, aquaculture, and processing.
Slashing Red Tape, Expanding Opportunity
The Executive Order tasks NMFS with incorporating new technology into fishery assessments, launching more exempted fishing permit programmes, and revamping data systems to reflect real-time ocean conditions.
In a statement, the White House said: “The U.S. controls over four million square miles of prime fishing grounds but imports nearly 90% of its seafood, resulting in a trade deficit exceeding $20 billion.”
The order also includes a directive to open marine national monuments to commercial fishing, a move expected to be contested by environmentalists.
More importantly to the fishing industry, the executive order shifts power from NOAA (the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration) scientists to Commerce Department, with a 27% cut in funding reported to be in the pipeline for the government body.
24,000 probationary workers at multiple branches of NOAA were fired in this most recent round of layoffs, which for some staff was their second time being fired just after reinstatement due to a previous court order.
Strong Support from Industry Leaders
Speaking on Fox Business, Dustin Delano of the New England Fishermen’s Stewardship Association (NEFSA) praised the decision: “We need the commercial fishing industry to be represented. We need to make American interests, you know, back to the forefront.”
Lisa Wallenda Picard, CEO of the National Fisheries Institute, said: “NFI commends the President and his Administration for taking a thoughtful, strategic approach to supporting American seafood production.”
Political Support Rolls-In Behind Executive Order
Senator for Alaska Dan Sullivan welcomed the EO saying, “Today, the President gave Alaska’s fishermen a major shot in the arm, ordering his administration to remove unnecessary federal red tape and develop an America First Seafood Strategy to enhance the global competitiveness of our seafood and hold bad actors in seafood trade accountable.
“I thank President Trump, Howard Lutnick and the US Trade Department, for fighting to ensure more Americans and our trading partners around the world are eating ‘freedom fish’ from Alaska—not ‘communist fish’ from the likes of Russia and China.”
Congressman Jared Golden (D-ME) echoed the sentiment: “Today’s executive order is hopefully the first of many new wins for our coastal communities.”
Addressing Unfair Competition and Enforcement Failures
The order mandates the creation of a seafood trade strategy to crack down on illegally sourced seafood, forced labour abroad, and substandard environmental practices from foreign exporters. It also calls for enhancements to the Seafood Import Monitoring Program (SIMP) to better target high-risk shipments.
Critically, the EO builds on Trump’s earlier move to halt offshore wind projects, which he claims pose a threat to U.S. fisheries.
“In Maine, their boats are forced to go for days out to some other area that’s not as good,” Trump stated claiming boats from Canada and Europe were coming into the U.S EEZ to fish Maine lobster. The President promised to “free that up.”
A Divisive Step Amid Concerns
While many in the seafood sector have welcomed the order, some critics worry about the broader geopolitical implications. Concerns have also been raised about previous cuts to NOAA and the weaponisation of fish trade amid escalating tensions with Russia and Europe.
Nevertheless, industry figures remain optimistic. “This is not about blowing up NOAA,” Delano stressed. “It’s about making the system work for American fishermen.”
As the order takes effect, all eyes will now be on how quickly and thoroughly agencies respond to the President’s directive, and whether the bold promises of the “America First” seafood revival will translate into tangible benefits for U.S. fishermen and processors.
Source: Various
