UNLEASHING ECONOMIC OPPORTUNITY IN THE PACIFIC: President Donald J. Trump has signed a proclamation to reestablish commercial fishing access across nearly 500,000 square miles in the Pacific, furthering the America First Fishing Policy.
- This move reinstates fishing activities in the Mau and Ho‘omalu Zones of the Papahānaumokuākea Marine National Monument, the Islands Unit of the Mariana Trench Marine National Monument, and the Rose Atoll Marine National Monument.
PUTTING AMERICA FIRST IN SEAFOOD COMPETITIVENESS: President Trump aims to eliminate unnecessary restrictions on American fishermen to boost domestic seafood production, reduce seafood prices, safeguard American jobs, and enhance food and national security.
- Previously, excessive restrictions barred commercial fishing in key areas, curtailing job opportunities for American workers.
- These restrictions were deemed unnecessary for the management of the Monuments, as many fish species are migratory, not exclusive to these areas, and protected under existing laws like the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act.
- Restricting commercial fishing also limits the domestic fish supply, making the U.S. dependent on foreign sources and raising seafood costs for Americans.
- The proclamation opens new economic and job opportunities for U.S. fishing families, coastal communities, seafood processors, and related maritime industries, ensuring access to U.S. coastal waters while maintaining strong environmental protections.
- Commercial fishing supports thousands of jobs in industries such as harvesting, processing, transportation, shipbuilding, equipment manufacturing, distribution, sales, and services.
- This decision strengthens the domestic seafood supply chain and reduces reliance on imported seafood.
DELIVERING HISTORIC CHANGE FOR DOMESTIC FISHERIES: The proclamation aligns with President Trump’s ongoing efforts to rejuvenate the U.S. fishing industry, delivering significant economic growth, regulatory relief, and prioritizing American seafood producers.
- In April 2025, President Trump signed an Executive Order to enhance seafood competitiveness through deregulation, addressing unfair trade practices, boosting domestic seafood production and exports, fostering cooperative research, and establishing the America First Seafood Strategy.
- In April 2025, another proclamation restored commercial fishing access in the Pacific Ocean, opening the Pacific Remote Islands Marine National Monument.
- In February 2026, a proclamation was signed to enable commercial fishing in the Atlantic Ocean, opening the Northeast Canyons and Seamounts Marine National Monument.
- Utilizing the Magnuson-Stevens Act and executive actions, NOAA has successfully deregulated fishing operations, reversed longstanding closures, and maximized harvest quotas.
- NOAA has expedited fishery openings and increased catch limits based on the best available science, providing financial benefits to coastal communities.
- NOAA continues to cut red tape and replace outdated restrictions with adaptive standards, maximizing profitability and keeping fisheries open.
- These initiatives have unlocked billions of dollars in economic value and secured essential domestic supply chains.
