Saving Seafood

Trump moves to reopen Pacific remote waters for fishing

June 12, 2026 — A June 11 executive order by President Trump will open some fishing grounds in the U.S. western Pacific, the latest in years of restricting and then reopening national marine monument waters during the Obama, Biden and Trump administrations.

Like Trump’s earlier lifting of restrictions on the Northeast Canyons and Seamounts monument, the western Pacific opening has been long sought by commercial fishermen.

In March the Western Pacific Regional Fishery Management Council voted to restore commercial fishing access across several U.S. Pacific marine national monuments including the Pacific Islands Heritage, Rose Atoll, Marinas Trench, and Papahānaumokuākea Marine National Monuments to federally managed commercial fisheries.

“By restoring commercial fishing in the remote Pacific, we are creating new economic opportunity for coastal communities and restoring U.S. seafood competitiveness,” Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick said in announcing the decision.

Read the full article at the National Fisherman

President Trump Supports Commercial Fisheries in US Pacific Islands

June 12, 2026 — The following was released by the Western Pacific Regional Fishery Management Council:

The Western Pacific Regional Fishery Management Council today welcomed President Trump’s proclamation, Restoring American Commercial Fishing in the Pacific, as an important step toward returning fisheries management decisions in the Pacific to the regional council process and the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act. 

“It’s my honor to be taking this action to lower seafood costs and generate millions and millions of dollars in new business for our great fishermen … by restoring commercial access to three areas of the western Pacific Ocean,” President Trump said as he signed the proclamation today.

Council members viewed the White House signing ceremony during the opening session of the third day of the Council’s meeting in Pago Pago. Secretary of Commerce Howard Lutnick acknowledged the importance of fisheries to the U.S. Pacific territories and the State of Hawai‘i.

“We are pleased that under the authority of the Magnusons-Stevens Act, the management of fishing in monument waters is returning to the fishery councils,” said Council Executive Director Kitty Simonds. “The Council is committed to continue working together with our fishing communities in American Samoa, Hawai‘i and the Northern Mariana Islands to discuss and develop fishery management plans in these areas.” 

“Today’s proclamation is a significant and welcome development for American Samoa,” said Council Chair Nathan Ilaoa. “The closure of waters around Rose Atoll has restricted access to important fishing grounds since 2009. As American Samoa invests in a new generation of longer-range fishing vessels, restoring access to these areas will help ensure that local fishermen are able to fully benefit from those investments and continue contributing to our economy and food security.”

At its March 2026 meeting, the Council recommended restoring commercial fishing access to 12 to 50 nautical miles at Muliāva (Rose Atoll), 0 to 50 nm in the Marianas Trench Islands Unit. In Papahānaumokuākea, longline fishing from 0 to 50 nm remains prohibited. For bottomfish and other fisheries, 0 to 3 nm remains closed.

The eight Regional Fishery Management Councils have long affirmed that fisheries management within U.S. exclusive economic zone waters — generally 3 to 200 nm offshore — should be guided by the Magnuson-Stevens Act decision-making process. This process provides multiple opportunities for public review and comment, ensuring that management decisions are informed by the best available science and the needs of affected communities.

The Council also notes that additional federal actions may be necessary before fishing activities can resume in certain areas. Portions of Papahānaumokuākea and Muliāva (Rose Atoll) are also subject to National Marine Sanctuary regulations and other management authorities that may require further coordination and review. 

The proclamation follows a federal review directed by Executive Order 14276, Restoring American Seafood Competitiveness, which called for an evaluation of commercial fishing opportunities within existing marine national monuments and the impacts of monument fishing restrictions on domestic seafood production and fishing communities. 

National Fisheries Institute Applauds the Opening of Expanded Fishing Grounds in the Pacific

June 12, 2026 — The following was released by the National Fisheries Institute:

We applaud today’s announcement by President Trump to restore commercial fishing access to nearly half a million square miles in the Pacific Ocean.  Seafood is the healthiest protein on the planet and Americans do not eat enough of it. Removing unnecessary restrictions on American seafood production will lower seafood prices and support American jobs.

NFI has long supported NOAA’s National Marine Fisheries Service in their effort to balance the responsible management of marine national monuments ecosystems with the engagement of commercial fisheries, including coordination with the regional fishery management councils.

We thank Secretary Lutnick and the Trump Administration for this critical step to improve the health of both Americans and the seafood industry.

Lisa Wallenda Picard
President & CEO

Executive Proclamation Restores Commercial Fishing in Pacific Marine Monuments, Unlocks Economic Opportunity

June 11, 2026 — The following was released by NOAA Fisheries:

On June 11, 2026, President Trump signed an “Executive Proclamation Restoring American Commercial Fishing in the Pacific,” opening additional prized fishing grounds to hard-working American fishermen and United States flagged fishing vessels. This bold Executive action opens more economic opportunities for commercial fishermen and continues to strengthen the economic security of coastal communities. 

NOAA is proud to support the Administration’s pledge to restore U.S. seafood competitiveness through the America First Fishing Policy. The President’s Executive Proclamation comes as a direct result of feedback from the U.S. fishing industry, and his action will continue to increase economic opportunities for American fishermen. 

“President Trump is once again delivering for American fishermen by opening prized Pacific fishing grounds with this Executive Proclamation,” said Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick. “By restoring commercial fishing in the remote Pacific, we are creating new economic opportunity for coastal communities and restoring U.S. seafood competitiveness.”

Previous prohibitions on commercial fishing in the Pacific Ocean forced American commercial fishermen further offshore into international waters to compete against poorly regulated foreign fishing fleets. Restoring access to these valuable fishing grounds within the U.S. exclusive economic zone will give diligent and honest American fishermen closer access to tuna and other pelagic species. 

“Restoring commercial fishing access to these vital areas reflects the continued commitment of this Administration to American fisheries, which are built on the foundation of rigorous science, robust monitoring, strong enforcement, and the daily commitment of our dedicated fishermen,” said Neil Jacobs, Ph.D., NOAA administrator. “This historic action will lead to more U.S.-caught fish on American tables.” 

This Proclamation recognizes the effectiveness and strength of U.S. fisheries management under the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act. This year the Act commemorates 50 years of continued science-based fisheries management. American fishermen are responsible stewards of our ocean resources, working to ensure the long-term health of fish stocks and marine ecosystems and maintaining a nutritious, sustainable food source for Americans.

The expanded fishing grounds for American fishermen in the Pacific restored through this Executive Proclamation include: 

  • The Islands Unit of the Mariana Trench Marine National Monument
  • The Mau Zone and Ho‘omalu Zone and areas seaward of 50 nautical miles within the Papahānaumokuākea Marine National Monument
  • Waters between 12 and 50 nautical miles surrounding Rose Atoll within the Rose Atoll Marine National Monument 

The announcement comes amid a series of actions taken by the Trump Administration to support commercial fisheries in an ongoing effort to restore America’s seafood competitiveness. NOAA’s National Marine Fisheries Service and its partners will continue balancing the responsible management of the Pacific Islands marine national monuments ecosystems with the engagement of commercial fisheries, including coordination with the regional fishery management councils. 

Trump restores commercial fishing in protected areas of Pacific Ocean

June 11, 2026 — President Donald Trump took action June 11 to restore commercial fishing within three of America’s marine national monuments in the Pacific Ocean, rolling back protections for areas that are considered pristine ocean ecosystems.

The White House said the move, reported first by USA TODAY ahead of Trump’s action, is aimed at boosting the U.S. fishing industry and lowering seafood prices for consumers.

At an Oval Office ceremony attended by fishermen, Trump signed a proclamation restoring federally managed commercial fishing access to portions of the Papahānaumokuākea Marine National Monument (near Hawaii); the Islands Unit of the Mariana Trench Marine National Monument (off the coast of Guam); and the Rose Atoll Marine National Monument (in American Samoa).

In all, the proclamation expands commercial fishing to about half a million square miles in the Pacific.

Read the full article at USA TODAY

Experts say ‘bare bones’ US laws are unfit to regulate nascent deep-sea mining industry

June 10, 2026 — The deep-sea mining industry could launch in the near future in U.S. federal waters. Yet legal experts and former government officials warn that the regulations that would govern this industry are outdated and lack important oversight provisions.

In April 2025, the Trump administration signaled its intention to enter the global race to mine the deep sea when it released an executive order calling for the development of the industry. Following the administration’s direction, in April 2026 the U.S. Department of the Interior (DOI) announced its plans to hold a series of seabed lease sales over the course of this year and into early next. The first one is slated for August in American Samoa, with subsequent lease sales planned for the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands (CNMI) and Alaska. If these go forward, they could mark the first commercial lease processes for deep-sea mining anywhere in the world.

Critics say deep-sea mining could cause large-scale and irreversible damage to the marine environment, and some governments in areas slated for leasing have even taken steps to ban deep-sea mining. In 2024, the governor of American Samoa enacted a moratorium on seabed mining from its territorial waters, which extend 3 nautical miles (5.6 kilometers) from its shorelines. And this month, the governor of Guam, a self-governing territory that shares its exclusive economic zone with the CNMI, signed a bill into law that banned deep-sea mining in its nearshore waters and prohibited the use of its port, a vital hub for the Western Pacific region, for seabed mining activities. Opponents also argue that the U.S. government is rushing the process to initiate these lease sales.

Supporters of the industry, including representatives from deep-sea mining companies, say it would be minimally invasive and procure critical minerals, and that development is proceeding at an appropriate pace.

Tony Romeo, the CEO of a newly formed deep-sea mining company based in South Carolina called Eco Minerals, pointed out that the U.S. has been developing its interest in the deep-sea mining industry since the 1980s. “From an industry perspective, this has been such a slow process,” he told Mongabay.

Read the full article at Mongabay

Proposed NOAA cuts could hit Pacific weather forecasts, fisheries and coral programs

June 8, 2026 — The Trump administration’s proposed 2027 budget for the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration would slash more than $1 billion from the agency and eliminate dozens of programs, raising concerns across the Pacific islands where communities rely heavily on weather forecasting, fisheries management and coastal conservation.

NOAA’s fiscal year 2027 budget request seeks $4.54 billion, a decrease of about $1.09 billion from the 2026 enacted level. The proposal includes more than $1.3 billion in program terminations and another $523 million in reductions, partially offset by investments in weather radar modernization, satellite systems and selected fisheries initiatives.

For Guam and the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands, the proposed cuts touch areas closely tied to daily life, from typhoon forecasting and marine observations to coral reef protection and coastal resilience.

The budget documents call for terminating the Coral Reef Conservation Program, ending Integrated Ocean Acidification efforts, eliminating regional Integrated Ocean Observing System programs and terminating Coastal Zone Management Grants. The proposal would also eliminate NOAA’s National Coastal Resilience Fund and reduce funding for ocean observations and monitoring.

Read the full article at the Marianas Variety

Trump administration continuing to resist issuing tariff refunds

June 5, 2026 — The administration of U.S. President Donald Trump has continued to file oppositions to tariff refunds in court.

The Trump administration has moved to prevent the testimony of Rodney S. Scott, a top customs official, from being required to testify at a court hearing related to the tariff refund process. A federal court ruled on 4 June that the administration’s motion for a stay on Scott’s testimony was warranted.

Read the full article at SeafoodSource

US bill would authorize commercial fishing in marine national monuments

June 4, 2026 — A bill being considered in U.S. Congress would prohibit presidents from prohibiting commercial fishing in marine national monuments, codifying that fishing activities in those areas must be regulated under the Magnuson-Stevens Act (MSA).

Successive presidents’ administrations have used the Antiquities Act to unilaterally establish national marine monuments or to change the protections granted within them, and commercial fishing groups have long bemoaned the use of that power to ban fishing within their boundaries. Former U.S. President Barack Obama prohibited commercial fishing within the nearly 5,000-square-mile Northeast Canyons and Seamounts Marine National Monument when he established it in 2016, and later presidents have alternated between reallowing commercial fishing or banning it again; most recently, U.S. President Donald Trump issued an executive order reauthorizing commercial fishing in the marine national monument.

Read the full article at SeafoodSource

Ocean observatories go dark off Pacific Northwest coast

June 4, 2026 — The Trump administration has quietly removed an array of floating ocean observatories from waters off the Washington coast, KUOW has learned.

Their removal is part of a national dismantling of a network of sophisticated data buoys in the Pacific and Atlantic oceans.

The National Science Foundation, an independent federal agency created in 1950 to support scientific research, announced in May that it had started what it called a “descoping” of its Ocean Observatories Initiative.

Those observatories monitor surface and underwater conditions 24/7 in what the science foundation calls “the most technologically advanced observational networks in the oceans.”

The moored buoys keep the pulse of the oceans as their temperature and chemistry rapidly change and provide real-time updates to mariners heading out into possibly dangerous waves. Autonomous “gliders” also roam the ocean, gathering data on the go.

Read the full article at KUOW