The administration of United States President Donald Trump is reducing commercial fishing regulations nationwide, including the reopening of New England waters to scallop fishing, which had been banned due to overfishing. This announcement was made on Thursday by White House adviser Peter Navarro.
New fishing regulations announced
The US Department of Commerce and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) revealed regional priorities aimed at revitalizing the seafood sector. Trump declared a national scallops day to celebrate NOAA’s actions, stating, “I have opened up the Oceans, Rivers, Lakes, and Seas to our Fishermen, and freed them from ridiculous Environmental restrictions.”
Navarro emphasized the benefits for American consumers, stating, “We’re opening the Atlantic and the Pacific, and the American consumers are going to benefit from what we’re doing now.” This move follows an executive order from April 2025 that aimed to increase domestic seafood production by loosening regulations and permitting commercial fishing in marine monuments.
Impact on scallop fishing
The decision to ease restrictions on scallop fishing stemmed from discussions between Trump and scallop fishermen who expressed concerns over access to parts of Georges Bank. This area, situated between Cape Cod and Nova Scotia, has been heavily impacted by overfishing, leading to significant declines in fish populations.
In 1994, large segments of fishing grounds in Georges Bank were closed after a National Marine Fisheries Service assessment found a 40 percent decline in cod stocks over four years. The New England Fishery Management Council, which voted in 2024 against reopening these grounds, is expected to discuss the scallop issue again in September 2026.
NOAA's management strategies
NOAA’s new priorities include evaluating fishing restrictions, permit policies, and accountability measures along the Atlantic and Gulf coasts and the Pacific coast. America’s $320 billion fishing industry relies heavily on NOAA to manage coastal fisheries, with its National Marine Fisheries Service developing management plans for 45 fisheries, setting quotas, and determining fishing seasons.
- Georges Bank closed to scallop fishing in 1994
- 40% decline in cod stocks reported
- Trump's executive order in April 2025
- New England Fishery Management Council's 2024 vote
🤖 This article was rewritten by Feed and Figures' editorial AI from a report originally published by Al Jazeera. Facts and quotes are preserved from the original; the rewrite focuses on clarity and structure. For the unedited original, see the source link below.
