President Trump signs executive order to make U.S. seafood industry more competitive

On May 7, U.S. President Donald Trump signed an executive order to “increase America’s competitiveness in the seafood industry and protect our seafood supply chain.” The order instructs agencies to expand sustainable seafood production in the United States, including:

• Furthering more efficient and predictable aquaculture permitting processes
• Accelerating regulatory reform to maximize commercial fishing
• Upholding “common-sense” restrictions on seafood imports that do not meet American standards

President Trump also announced the availability of $300 million to support fishermen and related businesses hurt by the coronavirus.

The United States imports roughly 85% of the seafood consumed domestically, and, according to the White House, ranks 17th in aquaculture production. According to the government, “burdensome over-regulations and red tape” are “stifling innovation and production” in the aquaculture industry.

As a part of the executive order, the U.S. Department of Commerce will co-chair a newly established Seafood Trade Task Force. The agency will work closely with interagency partners to develop a comprehensive interagency seafood trade strategy that identifies opportunities to improve access to foreign markets through trade policy and negotiations, resolves technical barriers to United States seafood exports, and otherwise supports fair market access for U.S. seafood products.