Tariffs threaten lobster industry as senators push back
Published onMaines lobstermen and commercial fishermen are bracing for economic fallout as President Donald Trump moves forward with tariffs on Canadian imports, a decision that has sparked bipartisan opposition in the Senate. While the broader economic implications are still unfolding, many in the industry fear that the direct impact on trade and pricing will be substantial. Senator Susan Collins (R-Maine) was among those who voted in favor of Democratic-led resolutions aimed at nullifying President Trumps emergency declaration, which justified the tariffs. Speaking on the Senate floor, Collins highlighted how deeply integrated Maines economy is with Canada and the potential harm these tariffs could cause. From home heating oil, gasoline, jet fuel, and other refined petroleum products, to Maines paper mills, forest products businesses, agricultural producers, and lobstermen, the tariffs on Canada would be detrimental to many Maine familiar and our local economies, Collins stated, as reported by WMTW. Maines ...
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Trump’s regulatory freeze disrupts U.S. fisheries
Published onA 60-day regulatory freeze enacted by President Donald Trump has disrupted key fisheries management processes, creating uncertainty for commercial fishermen and increasing the risk of delayed seasons and overfishing. As reported by Reuters, the freeze, declared on January 20, put a hold on new federal regulations across multiple industries, including fisheries overseen by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA). NOAAs National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) is responsible for setting catch limits, monitoring stock health, and determining the opening and closing of fishing seasons. However, according to Reuters, the freeze has delayed key meetings and regulatory decisions, leaving many in the industry without guidance on quota limits and the start of the season. Delayed openings and overfishing concerns The freeze has already led to overfishing of Atlantic bluefin tuna off North Carolina, as NOAA was unable to issue a closure order after the catch limit was reached in mid ...
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Federal shakeup sparks uncertainty for Pacific fisheries
Published onFederal actions are causing uncertainty in the scheduled openings of Alaskas Pacific fisheries, raising concerns among fishermen and owner/operators about potential disruptions to the fishing season. Recent personnel changes within the National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) have cast doubt on the scientific assessments crucial for managing fish stocks in the region. According to the Alaska Beacon, three NMFS employees in Alaska were recently dismissed, creating unease about the continuity of scientific research that informs fisheries management. These individuals collected and analyzed stock assessment data, a key factor in determining sustainable catch limits. Their sudden removal has led to concerns that vital scientific work may be delayed or compromised just as fisheries prepare to open. The potential gaps in research have alarmed commercial fishermen, who rely on accurate stock assessments to guide their operations. Without up-to-date data, fishery managers face challenges setting quotas, which could result in either ...
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NOAA cuts raise concern for the AK fishing industry
Published onBeginning on Feb. 27, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) faced a 10 percent reduction in its workforce, with the termination of all probationary employees. The Alaska Marine Conservation Council (AMCC) acknowledged the news, which is expected to have significant repercussions for Alaskans, mainly fishermen. In a letter addressing the cuts, AMCC executive director Michelle Stratton emphasized the vital role NOAA plays in ensuring the safety and sustainability of Alaskas fisheries. First and foremost, safety at sea is paramount for the well-being of our fishing communities and the sustainability of our seafood industry, she wrote. Stratton shared that NOAA provides critical services, including weather forecasting, navigation support, and emergency response coordination. She warned that reducing these resources could increase risks for fishermen, leading to more accidents, loss of life, and economic hardships. Beyond safety, NOAAs science-based stock assessments and fisheries management systems are integral to sustaining Alaskas ...
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Fishing industry urges Trump administration’s support
Published onToday, theFishing Communities Coalitionannouncesthe release of a letteraddressed to Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick and Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins, signed by 170 fishing and seafood businesses, organizations, and individuals hailing from 98 coastal communities in 22 states. The letter details the short- and long-term priorities of the U.S. commercial fishing industry and offers strategies for the Trump administration to address market challenges, reduce instability and unpredictability, and make targeted, strategic investments in the success of U.S. fisheries. Ben Martens, executive director of the Maine Coast Fishermens Association. The U.S. commercial fishing industry is both complex and specialized, with immense untapped potential, said Ben Martens, executive director of the Maine Coast Fishermens Association. We are sending this letter to familiarize the new Trump administration with our industry, as a unified voice among hundreds of small businesses across the nation. Weve identified the keys to success in harvesting the ...
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Maine fights for Sea Grant funding as cuts linger
Published onMaines working waterfront is more than just a collection of boats and docks; its the lifeblood of the states economy and a way of life for generations of fishermen. Over the weekend, the announcement of funding for the Maine Sea Grant program ended amid cutbacks to the NOAA budget. Since 1971, the Maine Sea Grant program has been at the heart of that sustainability. This critical program brings federal funding directly into the hands of the people who need it most: those who make their living on the water. A recent letter to Maines Congressional Delegation emphasizes the programs importance. The letter urges lawmakers to fully fund the National Sea Grant program in the upcoming fiscal year. Its a simple request, but one with massive impact and one that reaches into the very fabric of Maines coastal communities. As one of the 34 Sea Grant programs nationwide, Maines Sea Grant ...
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Maine nominates new commissioner for Department of Marine Resources
Published onGov. Janet Mills announced today that she will nominate Carl Wilson, a highly regarded fisheries scientist at the Maine Department of Marine Resources for the last 26 years, to serve as the department's next commissioner. "I'm proud to nominate Carl to this vital leadership role for our state," said Governor Mills. "His vast knowledge and experience in the science, policy, and economics of Maine's marine resource industries, combined with the strong relationships and mutual respect he has developed with Mainers who make a living on the water over his 26 years at DMR, will serve him well as the department's next leader." Wilson will be nominated to replace outgoing Commissioner Patrick Keliher, who recently announced that he will retireon March 14, 2025. Governor Mills will appoint Wilson to serve as Acting Commissioner until a permanent Commissioner is confirmed by the Maine Senate. "I think Carl is ...
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$2.4M grant found supporting tribal households
Published onDOGE Alaska uncovered a $2.4 million grant awarded to the Sitka Tribe of Alaska. DOGE Alaska is a group of citizens who are researching waste, fraud, and abuse. Its a project and not a formal organization. The grant was awarded so their members could buy seafood from local fishermen. The priority was buying from commercial fishermen, also tribal members, so the money circulated back to the tribal economy. The Department of Agriculture awarded the funds through a grant program intended to help socially disadvantaged farmers and ranchers, according to Must Read Alaska reporter Suzanne Downing. The grant specifically allowed 1,000 tribal households to buy king crab, Dungeness crab, shrimp, salmon, and halibut through a contact by the Stika Tribe that would connect them to commercial fishermen. This is not subsistence or through the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP). Downing reported that it is supposed to ensure greater food ...
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Trump appoints Lee Zeldin to lead EPA
Published onOn January 29, 2025, Lee Zeldin was sworn in as the 17th Administrator of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. Administrator Zeldin will work closely with the dedicated career officials at the agency to fulfill the agencys mission to protect human health and the environment. It is my honor to serve as the 17th Environmental Protection Agency Administrator. Under President Trumps leadership, we will take great strides to defend every Americans access to clean air, clean water, and clean land. We will maintain and expand the gold standard of environmental stewardship and conservation that President Trump set forth in his first administration while also prioritizing economic prosperity. I look forward to working with the agencys talented staff and scientists to deliver results for the American people. Its time to get to work,said EPA Administrator Lee Zeldin. Administrator Zeldin has dedicated his life to public service. He is currently in ...
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NOAA stormed by DOGE, sparking talk of cuts
Published onStaffers withElon Musks department of government efficiency (DOGE)reportedlyentered the headquarters of theNational Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration(NOAA) in Silver Spring, Maryland, and the Department of Commerce in Washington, DC, today, inciting concerns of downsizing at the agency. They apparently just sort of walked past security and said: Get out of my way, and theyre looking for access for the IT systems, as they have in other agencies, said Andrew Rosenberg, a former NOAA official who is now a fellow at the University of New Hampshire. They will have access to the entire computer system, a lot of which is confidential information. Read more...
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Dr. Neil Jacobs nominated to lead NOAA
Published onOn Tuesday, Feb. 4, 2025, the fishing industry is responding to reports President Trump will nominate Dr. Neil Jacobsto lead NOAA, which houses the National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS). Dr. Neil Jacobs is a great choice to lead NOAA, said Noah Oppenheim, coordinator of theFishing Communities Coalition. Commercial fishing communities need a steady hand at thehelm as we face unprecedented infrastructure, market, and regulatory challenges. We needfundamental reforms at NOAA to improve fishery surveys, while keeping the agencys coreweather forecasting functions strong so we can safely and efficiently catch fish to feedAmericans. Dr. Jacobs is the Assistant Secretary of Commerce for Environmental Observation and Prediction, performing the duties of Under Secretary of Commerce for Oceans and Atmosphere. In this role, Dr. Jacobs is responsible for the strategic direction and oversight of over $3.4 billion in annual spending, supporting NOAA's broad portfolio of sea, air, land, and space observing ...
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Canada scraps elver fishery changes after industry backlash
Published onCanadas Department of Fisheries and Oceans (DFO) has scrapped its plans to perform big changes to its elver fishery after intense industry opposition. The DFO and Canada Minister of Fisheries, Oceans, and the Coast Guard Diane Lebouthillierannounced the changes in December 2024, proposing a new policy that would hand 50 percent of the total allowable catch (TAC) to First Nations fishers and another 28 percent to a new pilot project that would shift how the quota was handed out. Those changes were in response to multiple years of chaos in the countrys elver fishery,which Lebouthillier canceled in 2024and shut down early in 2023due to rampant poachingand media reports of violence related to the fishery. TheCanadian Press reportedthose changes were deeply unpopular with existing elver businesses and license holders who would lose out on their quota. Commercial elver license holder Stanley King told the media that those changes would have ...
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Gulf of Mexico renamed has Americans divided
Published onPresident Donald Trumps executive order to rename the Gulf of Mexico has left residents along the Gulf Coast sharply divided. Some say it awakens their pride in the U.S. while others suggest its a silly distraction. The order, which Trump signed Monday night, his first day in office, directs the secretary of the Interior Department to take all the needed steps to change the name to Gulf of America within 30 days. Read more.
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Trump 2.0 reverses course on offshore turbines
Published onFacing the existential threat of a new Trump administration, offshore wind power advocates are mounting their own post-election campaign to win critical support from Republican and Democratic lawmakers and governors. President-elect Donald Trumps campaign promise to make sure offshore wind development ends on day one of his new administration has cast a pall over the fledgling U.S. wind industry raising the prospect of the incoming administration cutting off environmental and construction permits and blocking any future offshore wind lease sales by the Bureau of Offshore Energy Management (BOEM). Wind industry advocates are scrambling to make their case that offshore wind is good for Trumps stated goals of rebuilding U.S. industry and jobs. Since 2016, wind power companies have invested in purpose-built, U.S.-flagged vessels and have helped promote the use of hybrid power over traditional diesel propulsion a shift that is being adopted by ...
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FISHES Act signed into law: Expediting disaster relief for fishermen
Published onIn a pivotal move for the U.S. fishing industry, President Joe Biden signed the FISHES Act into law, marking a significant step towards expediting the distribution of federal disaster relief following fishery disaster declarations. This legislation addresses the long-standing frustration over the delayed delivery of financial relief to fishermen, as reported by Seafood Source. The FISHES (Fishery Improvement to Streamline Untimely Regulatory Hurdles Post Emergency Situation) Act introduces streamlined procedures for the U.S. Department of Commerce to review and approve state and Tribal spending plans, ensuring that financial relief reaches affected fishermen and their communities more quickly. Historically, the process of certifying fishery disasters and approving relief distribution has been notoriously slow. Representative Byron Donalds (R-Florida), Seafood Source also reported, the bill's sponsor, expressed this sentiment on the floor of the U.S. House of Representatives. "The state of Florida alone has requested fisheries disaster ...
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Gov. Inslee highlights maritime innovation at State of the Blue gathering
Published onAt this years Pacific Marine Expo (PME), the highly anticipated State of the Blue Annual Gathering provided an in-depth look at the innovative initiatives that are helping shape the future of the Blue Economy in Washington. The event covered major updates on sustainable maritime fuels, workforce development, the Quiet Sound program, green technologies, and the development of fast ferries. Gov. Jay Inslee, a staunch advocate for green maritime technologies, shared that the state continues to take charge of creating a sustainable, world-class maritime industry. Gov. Inslee opened his speech with a message that underscored Washington's ongoing commitment to environmental and economic leadership in the maritime industry. He spoke about the states growing efforts to attract and foster innovation, noting, "This is a family issue. My great-grandfather came out here to fish from Missouri and built a boat on a beach of Lopez Island. He also mentioned ...
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