Trump's Bold Fishing Order: Unshackling American Fishermen From Crippling Regulations

President Donald J. Trump has thrown a lifeline to America’s beleaguered fishing industry, signing an executive order on April 17, 2025, that promises to unshackle fishermen from crippling regulations and shield them from unfair foreign competition. This isn’t just policy; it’s a battle cry for an industry drowning under bureaucracy and global trade schemes that have gutted its competitiveness. For too long, American fishermen have watched their livelihoods erode while foreign imports flood our markets. Trump’s plan is a decisive step to reverse that tide.

The U.S. controls over four million square miles of prime fishing grounds, yet nearly 90% of the seafood we consume is imported, racking up a trade deficit north of $20 billion. That’s not just a statistic; it’s a national embarrassment. Fishermen in places like Maine, Alaska, and the Gulf Coast aren’t just fighting for profits; they’re fighting for survival against a system rigged by overregulation and foreign players who flout environmental and labor standards. Trump’s order signals that the days of America rolling over are done.

This move builds on Trump’s track record. Back in 2020, he signed an executive order to promote seafood competitiveness, slashing red tape and boosting industry morale. His recent halt on offshore wind projects further protected fishing grounds from being carved up for green energy experiments. Now, with tariffs already credited as a lifeline for the shrimping industry, Trump is doubling down, demanding a level playing field for American workers. It’s the kind of leadership that puts real people over abstract ideals.

But not everyone’s cheering. Environmentalists and global trade advocates are already crying foul, claiming this plan risks marine ecosystems and international relations. Their arguments, though, ring hollow when you consider the economic devastation fishermen have endured under their watch. This isn’t about ignoring the environment; it’s about balancing human needs with sensible stewardship, something Trump’s plan aims to achieve.

The fishing industry is one of the most heavily regulated sectors in America, tangled in a web of restrictive catch limits, outdated data systems, and bureaucratic inertia. Compliance costs for aquaculture and shellfish producers alone run into the tens of millions annually, with lost revenue and missed market opportunities costing over $1.4 billion and 8,000 jobs each year. Trump’s executive order takes a sledgehammer to this mess, directing the Secretary of Commerce to suspend, revise, or rescind regulations that choke the industry’s ability to compete.

Take the National Marine Fisheries Service, which Trump’s order tasks with modernizing its approach. By incorporating better technology, expanding cooperative research, and streamlining data collection, the agency can finally respond to real-time ocean conditions instead of relying on stale models. This isn’t just about efficiency; it’s about empowering fishermen with the tools to thrive. The order also expands exempted fishing permit programs, opening new opportunities for communities that have been boxed out by red tape.

Critics argue that deregulation risks overfishing or environmental harm, pointing to cases like the Atlantic bluefin tuna, where lax oversight led to stock depletion. But their fearmongering ignores the reality: well-designed, science-based regulations can protect resources without strangling the industry. Trump’s plan doesn’t toss out oversight; it demands smarter oversight, cutting the fat while preserving what works. The 2018 deregulatory actions, which saved $695 million, prove this approach can deliver without catastrophe.

Foreign competition isn’t just tough; it’s often dirty. Illegal, unreported, and unregulated fishing, forced labor in supply chains, and dumped seafood at below-market prices have crippled American producers. Trump’s America First Seafood Strategy tackles this head-on, mandating a trade plan to counter low environmental and labor standards abroad. The Seafood Import Monitoring Program, which the order strengthens, will sharpen its focus on high-risk shipments, ensuring illegally sourced seafood doesn’t sneak into our markets.

The stakes are high. China and other nations have been flagged for IUU fishing and labor abuses, yet their products still flood U.S. shelves. The United States Trade Representative’s 2025 strategy to combat forced labor in seafood supply chains is a game-changer, leveraging trade tools to block unethical imports. Legislation like the Protecting Global Fisheries Act further targets bad actors, demanding international accountability. These moves aren’t just about fairness; they’re about protecting American jobs and values.

Opponents, particularly those cozy with global trade lobbies, claim these measures could spark trade wars or raise seafood prices. But their hand-wringing overlooks the cost of inaction: a $20 billion trade deficit and an Alaska seafood industry that lost $1.8 billion between 2022 and 2023. Protecting American fishermen isn’t protectionism; it’s common sense. If foreign competitors can’t play by the rules, they don’t deserve a seat at our table.

One of the order’s boldest moves is its review of marine national monuments to assess opening them to commercial fishing. The Northeast Canyons and Seamounts Marine National Monument, locked up in 2016, is a prime example. Research shows that less than 1% of historical fishing grounds for major fisheries were within its boundaries, meaning closures didn’t save the environment so much as they kneecapped fishermen. Opening these areas could provide a much-needed boost without the catastrophic impacts critics predict.

Environmental groups argue that any fishing in protected areas threatens biodiversity, citing risks to deep-sea corals and marine mammals. But their absolutism ignores the data: reopening the Northeast Canyons in 2020 had no measurable impact on catch totals or economic outcomes, suggesting the economic harm of closures far outweighs the environmental gain. Trump’s plan isn’t about gutting conservation; it’s about ensuring protections make sense for both nature and the people who depend on it.

Trump’s executive order is more than a policy tweak; it’s a vision for an America that doesn’t just compete but dominates in seafood production. By slashing regulations, modernizing management, and cracking down on foreign cheats, this plan lays the groundwork for a thriving industry that supports jobs, communities, and national pride. The road ahead won’t be easy—global markets and environmental challenges won’t vanish overnight—but the direction is clear: put American fishermen first.

The naysayers will keep pushing their gloom-and-doom narratives, but they’re missing the point. This isn’t about short-term wins; it’s about long-term strength. American fishermen deserve a government that fights for them, not one that ties their hands while foreign competitors run rampant. Trump’s bold action proves he’s that fighter, and the fishing industry, from coast to coast, is ready to rise again.