May 21, 2025 — The West Coast seafood industry is caught in the crosshairs of tariff uncertainty. International orders have been canceled, which impacts Oregon workers. Industry leaders and Oregon’s Democratic Congressional delegation have asked the US Department of Agriculture to step in. Lori Steele is the executive director of the West Coast Seafood Processors Association. She joins us with details of the challenges facing the industry.
ALASKA: ASMI responds to trade pressures with focus on domestic growth
May 21, 2025 — The Juneau, Alaska-based Alaska Seafood Marketing Institute (ASMI) has released its 2024 annual report, highlighting the successes and challenges of a sector under pressure from both the setbacks of recent Alaskan history and the pressures of retaliatory tariffs in response to U.S. President Trump’s trade war.
“Commercial fishing is woven into the fabric of our economy, culture, and way of life,” said ASMI Executive Director Jeremy Woodrow, who called the sector an “industry worth fighting for” in his annual report message.
China proposes massive overhaul to nationwide fisheries law
May 21, 2025 — China has proposed a massive overhaul to its nationwide fisheries law, which, if passed, would align the nation’s fishing industry more with the goals outlined in the Port State Measures Agreement (PSMA).
The PSMA aims to deter illegal, unreported, and unregulated (IUU) fishing practices across the globe; China ratified the agreement in April.
ALASKA: Alaska House passes bill mandating representation on Board of Fisheries
May 21, 2025 — The Alaska House has narrowly passed a piece of legislation that will change the makeup of the state’s Board of Fisheries, requiring the governor to select members who represent a wider swath of the Alaska fishing community.
If it becomes law, the bill would require two seats for representatives from the subsistence fishing sector, two representing the commercial fishing sector, two representing the sportfishing sector, and a fisheries scientist.
Equinor says Trump has allowed Empire Wind to resume construction
May 20, 2025 — Equinor said Monday that the Interior Department has lifted a stop work order on Empire Wind 1, a dramatic reversal by the Trump administration that breathed life into the 54-turbine project that had been on the brink of cancellation.
The reason for the turnaround wasn’t immediately clear. In a statement, Equinor CEO Anders Opedal thanked President Donald Trump for “finding a solution that saves thousands of American jobs and provides for continued investments in energy infrastructure in the U.S.”
Empire Wind 1 is central to New York’s climate and energy plans. The $5 billion project would connect directly into New York City’s power grid, providing enough electricity to supply 500,000 homes. It has been the focus of an intense international lobbying effort in recent weeks. Opedal and Norwegian Finance Minister Jens Stoltenberg met with White House officials to discuss the project last month.
MARYLAND: “Not for sale” says Ocean City Mayor after multimillion dollar offer for fishing community by US Wind
May 20, 2025 — As the prospect of offshore wind projects along the coast continues, the town of Ocean City and now the Waterman’s Association seem to be on the same page in declaring that they are “not for sale.” That’s the claim made in a statement this week by Ocean City Mayor Rick Meehan.
The statement was a response to a $20 million dollar investment proposal that is aimed at supporting commercial fishing operations in Maryland.
The Memoranda of Understanding between US Wind and the Maryland Department of Natural Resources was designed to asswage concerns from the local fishing industry over plans for offshore wind.
Read the full article at Coast TV
CALIFORNIA: CDFW closes sardine fishery for human consumption
May 20, 2025 — On May 9, the California Department of Fish and Wildlife (CDFW) announced an immediate restriction on the commercial and recreational harvest of Pacific sardines for human consumption in ocean waters south of Point Conception to the California-Mexico border.
The move follows a public health warning issued after dangerously high levels of domoic acid were detected in sardine samples from the region.
The directive, issued by CDFW Director Charlton Bonham, was prompted by recommendations from the Office of Environmental Health Hazard Assessment (OEHHA) and the California Department of Public Health (CDPH). According to CDFW, sardines caught in the Southern California Bight pose “a human health risk due to elevated levels of domoic acid,” a naturally occurring marine toxin produced by harmful algal blooms.
SOUTH CAROLINA: South Carolina rolls out its own red snapper rules
May 20. 2025 — South Carolina will no longer follow federal management standards in state waters aimed at protecting red snapper populations that are still recovering after years of overfishing off the south Atlantic coast.
Gov. Henry McMaster (R) signed S.B. 219 on May 8 taking full authority over the state’s snapper-grouper fishery — composed of 55 species — within 3 miles of the South Carolina coast. The law specifically references red snapper and black sea bass, both of which are highly sought after by recreational fishermen.
“This law reflects South Carolina’s commitment to common-sense, homegrown solutions” to fishing regulation, McMaster said in a statement issued by sportfishing groups. “Our anglers deserve a system that’s fair, science-driven, and tailored to our state’s unique waters, not a one-size-fits-all approach.”
ALASKA: Alaska legislature passes bill allowing commercial fishing insurance co-ops
May 20, 2025 — Both houses of the Alaska legislature have unanimously passed a bill that would allow commercial fishers to form insurance co-ops, helping them secure more affordable insurance options.
Commercial fishers in Alaska have complained that it is increasingly difficult for them to secure insurance, especially for smaller and older vessels.
US government watchdog questions staffing levels for fisheries disaster aid program
May 20, 2025 — As the administration of U.S. President Donald Trump works to reduce staff and resources at NOAA Fisheries, a government watchdog has suggested more staff may be needed to improve the nation’s fisheries disaster assistance program.
The federal government’s fisheries disaster program was established to provide financial relief to the commercial fishing sector when it suffers a qualifying disaster, such as a sudden drop in population or the closure of a fishery for ecological reasons. However, the program has been frequently criticized by both commercial fishers and U.S. lawmakers for its lack of transparency and how long it takes the government to award disaster relief. According to the Government Accountability Office (GAO), a Congressional watchdog organization, it took NOAA Fisheries between 1.3 years and 4.8 years to distribute funding for the 56 most recent fishery disaster determination requests.
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