WASHINGTON — President Donald Trump signed a proclamation Thursday restoring industrial fishing entry to almost 500,000 sq. miles of Pacific Ocean waters, reversing restrictions from earlier administrations that he stated harm American fishermen and elevated U.S. reliance on overseas seafood.
The motion modifies proclamations establishing marine nationwide monuments within the Northwestern Hawaiian Islands, the Mariana Trench and Rose Atoll, eradicating monument-based prohibitions on industrial fishing in specified areas whereas sustaining different environmental protections. Solely U.S.-flagged vessels will likely be permitted to fish commercially within the affected zones, although foreign-flagged vessels might transport catches harvested by American fishermen.
“It’s my honor to be taking this motion to decrease seafood prices and generate hundreds of thousands and hundreds of thousands of {dollars} in new enterprise for our actually nice fishermen by restoring industrial entry to a few areas of the Western Pacific Ocean,” Trump stated throughout a ceremony surrounded by fishermen.
The proclamation targets the Mau and Ho‘omalu Zones of the Papahānaumokuākea Marine Nationwide Monument, the Islands Unit of the Mariana Trench Marine Nationwide Monument, and waters round Rose Atoll Marine Nationwide Monument. It builds on prior Trump administration efforts, together with openings within the Pacific Distant Islands and Atlantic Northeast Canyons and Seamounts.
“Underneath the Obama-Biden Administrations, radical environmentalists drastically restricted entry for fishermen in coastal communities, and a whole lot of 1000’s of sq. miles of ocean was lower off for them,” Trump stated. “These selections closed off huge assets […] destroyed livelihoods, and made america extra depending on overseas merchandise.”
The White Home notes that prior restrictions weren’t essential for conservation, as extremely migratory fish species are already managed underneath the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Administration Act and different legal guidelines together with the Endangered Species Act and Marine Mammal Safety Act. They argue the transfer will increase home manufacturing, create jobs in harvesting, processing and associated industries, decrease seafood costs for shoppers and scale back reliance on imports.
Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick highlighted the financial stakes.
“500,000 sq. miles have been closed to American fishermen […] in case you had an American flag, you weren’t allowed there, however in fact everyone else was […] that resulted in us, as a substitute of getting exports, as a result of now we have nice fishing alternative, we have been an importer. We grew to become an importer of seafood. How loopy is that?” Lutnick stated. “The president is lastly altering that. This can be a huge win for our fishermen, a large win for our waterfront communities.”
Alaska Gov. Mike Dunleavy praised the choice, noting the state’s essential function in U.S. seafood.
“Alaska supplies 60% of the nation’s seafood […] Fishing in Alaska is likely one of the oldest industries in that whole state, using 1000’s of people,” he stated. “That is an instance of placing America First, staff first, and actually this nation first.”
Sig Hansen, captain of the Northwestern from the tv present “Deadliest Catch,” thanked Trump for supporting the business.
“I spent a few months with you on the Apprentice, and I noticed your work ethic there […] Representing us, and serving to the fishermen the way in which you have got executed, it’s mind-boggling to me,” Hansen stated. “Placing us on that pedestal and backing up our business the way in which you have got, is simply phenomenal.”
Trump emphasised the contributions of working Individuals.
“These individuals constructed the nation, not the complainers […] they constructed the nation. I watch all these ingrates, they’re at all times complaining, complaining, they didn’t construct something. They couldn’t construct something,” he stated, referencing challenges in locations like Minnesota.
The proclamation directs the Secretary of Commerce to replace or repeal inconsistent laws and assess interim enforcement discretion. It maintains sure no-fishing zones close to delicate islands and reefs.
The transfer is a part of broader Trump administration efforts to decontrol fisheries, fight unfair commerce practices and improve home seafood competitiveness, following government actions in 2025. Officers say it can unlock financial worth whereas upholding science-based administration via the Western Pacific Fishery Administration Council.
