Trump administration pushes fisheries deregulation, threatening marine protections

In line with President Donald Trump's "Restoring American Seafood Competitiveness" order, the Department of Commerce directed NOAA to issue nine letters to the nation’s regional fisheries councils, urging a rollback of decades-old environmental rules. The directives ask councils to reconsider marine protected areas, drop species from protection lists, and relax gear restrictions, with specific targets such as expanding access to the Tourmaline Bank near Puerto Rico and opening traditional scallop grounds on Georges Bank.

Industry-favored changes also propose redefining sardine stocks, moving lobster and conch management to state control, and permitting capture of bluefin tuna under 73 inches. Environmental lawyers and ocean policy experts argue the moves prioritize short-term profit over scientific stewardship, risking the recovery of endangered leatherback turtles, Steller sea lions and North Atlantic right whales. Critics note the plan ignores climate change impacts on marine resources, and that NOAA may lack authority to override council procedures. The controversy highlights a clash between commercial fishing interests and long-term ocean conservation goals.