Key facts
- The U.S. is reducing regulatory burdens on fisheries, including opening Georges Bank to scallop fishing.
- These actions are intended to revitalize the U.S. seafood sector.
- The measures follow a 2025 executive order aimed at increasing domestic seafood production by loosening regulations.
- The U.S. fishing industry relies on the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration for fisheries management.
The United States is implementing measures to reduce regulatory burdens on its fishing industry, including opening the northern edge of New England's Georges Bank to scallop fishing. White House trade and manufacturing adviser Peter Navarro stated these actions stem from an Oval Office meeting with President Donald Trump and scallop fishermen, and are part of a larger strategy to revitalize the U.S. seafood sector.
These moves build upon a broader effort initiated by an April 2025 executive order from President Trump. That order directed the Commerce Department to loosen regulations and open marine monuments to commercial fishing, aiming to increase domestic seafood production. The U.S. fishing industry, valued at $320 billion, is managed by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) through its National Marine Fisheries Service, which develops management plans, sets quotas, and determines fishing seasons in consultation with scientists and fishermen.
According to White House documents, the U.S. controls vast ocean resources, but the seafood sector is heavily regulated. Federal overregulation, including restrictive catch limits and outdated data, has hindered fishermen. The administration aims to address unfair trade practices, which contribute to nearly 90 percent of seafood on U.S. shelves being imported and a trade deficit exceeding $20 billion, thereby enhancing American seafood competitiveness.