The U.S. House has proposed reducing NOAA Fisheries’ budget by 40 percent for fiscal year 2026, setting up a major funding fight with the Senate.
In a 10 September markup of the Commerce appropriations bill, the House Appropriations Committee approved just USD 685.7 million for NOAA Fisheries – down from USD 1.15 billion in 2024. The figure is more than USD 100 million below the Trump administration’s request and far short of the Senate’s version of the bill, which maintains funding at around USD 1.2 billion.
The proposed cut of USD 464.3 million drew immediate criticism from conservation groups, who warned it would disrupt fisheries science and management. Ocean Conservancy called the move “draconian,” saying it would undermine stock assessments, sustainable fisheries management, seafood safety, and marine habitat protections.
For the seafood industry, the funding debate is more than political posturing – decisions made in the coming weeks will directly affect NOAA’s ability to deliver stock surveys, quota-setting, and enforcement, all of which underpin access to U.S. fisheries.