Trump Unveils Strategy to Boost US Seafood Production and Curb Import Dependence

October 24, 2026 | By Semahegn Nigatu

US President Donald Trump has unveiled a federal strategy to expand domestic seafood production, rebuild processing capacity and strengthen enforcement against illegal fishing and seafood fraud, as his administration seeks to improve the competitiveness of American fishermen and processors.

The America First Seafood Strategy, announced under an executive order issued in April 2025, sets out a coordinated plan led in part by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), within the Department of Commerce.

The strategy aims to increase sustainable fishing opportunities, reduce regulatory costs, improve access to domestic and international markets, and reduce reliance on foreign seafood supply chains. It also seeks to attract private investment in fishing fleets, processing plants, cold storage facilities, docks and other coastal infrastructure.

Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick said the plan would prioritise domestic producers and workers.

“The America First Seafood Strategy ensures that the future of seafood in the United States will be built by American fishermen, American workers, and American industry, not by foreign imports,” he said.

Under the plan, NOAA will work with regional fishery management councils and industry representatives to ensure catch limits reflect available scientific evidence, restore access to productive fishing grounds where supported by data, and reduce compliance costs that do not advance conservation objectives.

The federal government also plans to introduce a voluntary “U.S.-Caught Seafood” designation in coordination with the Food and Drug Administration and the Department of Agriculture. The label is intended to help consumers identify seafood caught in US waters or harvested by US-flagged vessels operating outside the US exclusive economic zone under US legal authority.

Federal agencies will also seek to expand domestic seafood procurement and launch a nationwide “Eat American Seafood” campaign highlighting the sector’s contribution to employment, coastal economies, nutrition and food security.

The strategy places particular emphasis on rebuilding domestic processing and infrastructure capacity. Agencies will seek to streamline permits and reduce barriers to private investment in processing facilities, cold storage, working waterfronts, shipyards and docks.

Existing financing programmes administered by NOAA, the Department of Agriculture and the Small Business Administration will be used to support upgrades to processing plants, fishing vessels and equipment. NOAA will also review its Fisheries Finance Program and Capital Construction Fund to address barriers to investment in safer and more efficient US-built vessels.

On trade, the strategy calls for stronger monitoring of seafood imports, targeted enforcement against high-risk shipments and expanded efforts to combat mislabelling, seafood fraud and illegal, unreported and unregulated fishing.

NOAA will continue implementing its Seafood Import Monitoring Program, which requires importers to provide traceability information for specified seafood products identified as vulnerable to illegal fishing or seafood fraud. The administration also plans to work with the US Trade Representative and other agencies to improve market access for American seafood exports.

The plan includes regulatory reforms intended to make marine aquaculture in federal waters more predictable for investors, while maintaining oversight of sustainable production. Federal health and nutrition agencies will also coordinate public guidance on seafood consumption using current scientific evidence.

NOAA will provide scientific assessments, fisheries management expertise and verification support for the strategy. The administration said implementation would rely on existing legal authorities and programmes rather than new spending initiatives.

The government plans to assess progress through measures including domestic seafood production and processing, private investment, jobs supported and reduced dependence on foreign supply chains. The announcement did not provide quantified targets or a timetable for achieving those outcomes.

The strategy comes as the administration seeks to strengthen domestic industries and expand the role of American producers in domestic and international markets. Its impact will depend on implementation, investment decisions, market demand and the ability to expand production while maintaining sustainable fish stocks.

Source: FSX Business News