President Trump Issues Executive Order to Revitalize U.S. Seafood Industry and Expand Aquaculture Development

Washington, D.C. — In a move to boost America’s seafood competitiveness, President Donald J. Trump has signed a new executive order focused on strengthening the domestic fishing, aquaculture, and seafood processing sectors. Highlighting the vast potential of over 4 million square miles of prime U.S. fishing grounds, the order aims to cut federal overregulation, promote investment in innovation, and reclaim America’s leadership in global seafood production.

Despite having some of the world’s healthiest fish stocks and a strong fishing heritage, nearly 90% of seafood consumed in the U.S. is imported, contributing to a $20 billion seafood trade deficit. The President emphasized that unfair trade practices, outdated regulations, and restricted access to fishing grounds have disadvantaged American producers.

The executive order mandates swift action from the Secretary of Commerce to:

• Reduce regulatory burdens on overregulated fisheries,

• Modernize data systems and technology for fishery management,

• Expand fishing opportunities and aquaculture through permit reforms,

• Develop a new “America First Seafood Strategy” to promote domestic production and exports,

• Enforce trade actions against illegal, unreported, and unregulated (IUU) fishing by foreign competitors.

The initiative also includes a review of marine national monuments for possible reopening to commercial fishing, and calls for stronger port inspections and import monitoring to block IUU seafood from entering U.S. markets.

This order builds on the foundation of Executive Order 13921 (2020) and reaffirms the administration’s commitment to supporting maritime jobs, coastal economies, and national food security through robust investment and policy reform in the U.S. aquaculture and seafood sectors.

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