July 2, 2026 — The following was released by the Sustainable Scalloping Fund:
The Sustainable Scalloping Fund (SSF) today celebrated President Donald J. Trump’s declaration of a National Scallops Day, which marks the decision by NOAA Fisheries to open the Northern Edge of Georges Bank to the scallop fleet. The opening, together with NOAA’s move to advance Scallop Permit Stacking, delivers two reforms SSF has sought since its inception and fulfills the goals of Executive Order 14276, Restoring American Seafood Competitiveness. NOAA Fisheries identified both actions as New England priorities in a July 2 announcement by Assistant Administrator Eugenio Piñeiro Soler.
In announcing the day, President Trump called himself “the Fishermen’s Friend” and predicted millions more pounds of wild scallops on American tables and new jobs in fishing ports from Norfolk, Virginia, to Cape May, New Jersey, to New Bedford, Massachusetts.
Permit stacking will let scallop permit holders consolidate operations, cut costs, and fish more safely and efficiently. Opening the Northern Edge returns the fleet to a productive, well-managed resource that has stayed closed for years.
SSF President John Lees carried these issues directly to the White House, meeting with senior officials and advocating to the President himself on behalf of the nation’s scallop fishermen.
“We are grateful to President Trump and his team for listening to the men and women of the scallop fleet and acting on their behalf,” said John Lees (Johnny Scallop), President of the Sustainable Scalloping Fund. “Permit stacking and Northern Edge access will make our fishery more competitive, more sustainable, and more valuable to the American families who depend on it. This is what it looks like when Washington puts American fishermen first.”
SSF also recognized the legal and advocacy team that built the record behind these reforms: General Counsel Sam Blatchley of Eckland & Blando, and attorney Drew Minkiewicz of Black Point Maritime Law, who together developed the legal and policy case supporting the administration’s action.
SSF looks forward to working with NOAA Fisheries, the New England Fishery Management Council, and the Administration to move both actions into practice. “There is no bigger friend to the fishermen than President Donald J. Trump,” said John Lees. “SSF is deeply grateful for President Trump’s leadership and unwavering support for America’s commercial fishing industry.”
About the Sustainable Scalloping Fund
The Sustainable Scalloping Fund advocates for the long-term health, competitiveness, and sustainability of the Atlantic Sea scallop fishery and the fishermen and communities that depend on it.
Media Contact:
Drew Minkiewicz
drew@blackpointlaw.com
202-870-4013