In a major development for the domestic seafood sector, President Donald Trump has signed an “Executive Proclamation Restoring American Commercial Fishing in the Pacific.” The action reopens commercial access to nearly half a million square miles of previously protected marine areas, expanding fishing grounds for U.S.-flagged vessels.
During a live press event at the White House, President Trump emphasized that the measure is designed to boost domestic seafood production and lower costs for American consumers. The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) noted that the proclamation directly responds to long-standing industry feedback. According to NOAA, previous commercial fishing prohibitions within these monuments forced U.S. fishermen further offshore into international waters, where they were left to compete against heavily subsidized and poorly regulated foreign fleets.
“In the end, we’re going to eat fish caught by us in our waters,” said Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick during the event.
The announcement comes at a critical economic juncture for producers and consumers alike. With the Consumer Price Index rising and the USDA predicting domestic seafood prices to grow 3% faster this year than the 20-year historical average, the administration frames this move as a necessary step toward strengthening U.S. seafood competitiveness and ensuring food security.
Key Pacific Areas Reopened to Commercial Fishing Include:
- The Islands Unit of the Mariana Trench Marine National Monument.
- The Mau Zone, Ho‘omalu Zone, and waters seaward of 50 nautical miles within the Papahānaumokuākea Marine National Monument.
- Waters between 12 and 50 nautical miles around Rose Atoll within the Rose Atoll Marine National Monument.
According to administration officials, opening these waters will support millions of dollars in annual harvests of highly valued species, including bigeye tuna, swordfish, and reef fish.
Industry Leaders Applaud the Action
Several prominent West Coast and national seafood leaders attended the signing ceremony. Frank Dulcich, CEO of Pacific Seafood—a major vertically integrated, family-owned operation representing 715 fishing families—thanked the President for the policy shift. “The proclamation today, and the executive order last year and prior to this, is really going to help us,” Dulcich said, emphasizing the positive impact on independent fishing families.
The National Fisheries Institute (NFI) also strongly commended the administration’s decision. “Seafood is the healthiest protein on the planet and Americans do not eat enough of it,” said Lisa Wallenda Picard, President and CEO of NFI. “Removing unnecessary restrictions on American seafood production will lower seafood prices and support American jobs.”
Legal and Regulatory Outlook
The Pacific proclamation follows a similar move in April, when NOAA lifted commercial fishing restrictions within the Northeast Canyons and Seamounts Marine National Monument in the Atlantic Ocean. These changes reflect a broader administration initiative to expand commercial and industrial activities within certain federal waters and national monuments.
Members should note, however, that these regulatory rollbacks face immediate legal challenges from environmental organizations. Representatives from Earthjustice have already vowed to file lawsuits to block the Pacific proclamation, arguing that the protections are essential for maintaining healthy marine populations. Similar litigation is already underway regarding the Atlantic monument.