President Donald Trump continues his record-setting pace of issuing executive orders, and his latest is designed “to unleash commercial fishing in the Atlantic, advancing the America First Fishing Policy.”
“President Trump is committed to removing unnecessary restrictions on American fishermen in order to strengthen the U.S. economy, support coastal communities, and restore fairness to an industry disadvantaged by overregulation and unfair foreign competition,” according to a White House fact sheet obtained by NHJournal on Friday.
Trump’s lifting of restrictions on the U.S. seafood industry is part of a deregulation policy he promised for the economy as a whole — and New England fisheries in particular — during his 2024 campaign.
“I don’t know much about fishing, but I love what they do, and they’re brave people,” Trump told a Concord, N.H. crowd during a 2024 campaign stop. “I’ll fight for the fishermen like never before.”
On Friday, Trump is expected to sign an order rolling back prohibitions on commercial fishing in a 4,913 square mile area that President Barack Obama declared the Northeast Canyons and Seamounts Marine National Monument.
Trump rolled back those restrictions during his first term, but President Joe Biden reinstated them. Now, Trump is opening the area up to New England fishing once again.
“By revoking the Obama-Biden restrictions, President Trump’s proclamation supports New England’s fishing communities, in turn fostering economic growth and job creation in coastal regions,” the fact sheet states.
The fishing industry, hit hard by regulations under Obama and Biden, was a strong supporter of Trump’s campaign. In particular, they backed his pledge to put a halt to offshore wind projects — a pledge he kept with an executive order signed on his first day in office.
During the 2024 race, Drew Minkiewicz with the Sustainable Scalloping Fund told reporters, “I have yet to see a Harris-Walz flag on a fishing vessel.”
On January 20, 2025, the New England Fishermen’s Stewardship Association (NEFSA) posted: “Congratulations to Donald Trump taking office today. We hope the new administration will prioritize protecting commercial fishing for generations to come.”
Supporters of the New England fishing industry in the New Hampshire legislature praised Trump’s policy.
“New Hampshire’s commercial fishing industry is a proud part of our heritage, and I am pleased to see President Trump remove burdensome regulations that have had a negative impact on our lobstermen and fishermen,” said Gov. Kelly Ayotte (R-N.H.)
“As chairman of the New Hampshire House Fish & Game and Marine Resources Committee, I applaud the Trump administration’s bold decision to repeal the Biden declaration and open millions of acres of ocean to our fishermen,” said state Rep. James Spillane (R-Deerfield).
“This move not only supports New Hampshire’s proud fishing communities but also strengthens America’s competitiveness in the global seafood market, ensuring economic vitality and food security for our region and nation.”
Critics say Trump’s actions are an “assault on environmental protections,” as Elizabeth Turnbull Henry, president of the Environmental League of Massachusetts, said when Trump restored some fishing rights in the area during his first term.
According to the fact sheet, Trump’s actions on the Northeast Canyons and Seamounts Marine National Monument build on his commitment to revitalizing the U.S. fishing industry.
That includes:
• Signing a proclamation to unleash commercial fishing in the Pacific Ocean, opening the Pacific Remote Islands Marine National Monument (PRIMNM) to U.S.-flagged vessels.
• Signing an Executive Order to restore American seafood competitiveness by reducing regulatory burdens, combating unfair foreign trade practices, and enhancing domestic seafood production and exports.
• Implementing tariffs to protect America’s fishing industry.
