A 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). NOAA’s 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-January. As a result, the quota was exceeded by 25 percent, potentially reducing the allocation for New York and New England fishermen when the fish migrate north this summer.
“It’s hard for me to believe we’re not going to get punished up here in New York and New England for that,” said bluefin fisherman John McMurray, in an interview with Reuters.
The uncertainty also extends to other fisheries. According to the New England Fishery Management Council, some groundfish fisheries, including cod, haddock, and flounder- are at risk of opening late, potentially missing their traditional May 1 start date unless emergency action is taken.
“It can make or break a fishery if the window of opportunity to go fishing is narrowed or shifts significantly,” Noah Oppenheim, principal of Homarus Strategies, which advises commercial fishing groups, told Reuters.
New England’s $400 million scallop industry could also see partial delays in its season, and preparations for the Pacific Coast salmon fishery are falling behind schedule due to disruptions in the fishery management council meeting process.
NOAA staff cuts raise further concerns
The regulatory freeze has also resulted in job cuts at NOAA, adding to industry concerns. 163 probationary employees, approximately 5 percent of NOAA Fisheries’ workforce, were fired, including administrative staff, fish biologists, and fisheries management specialists. These roles are critical for stock assessments and regulatory processes that determine quotas and season openings.
“The federal managers for the squid fishery are supposed to be slashed and without them, when do we know when the seasons open? When will they decide how much of the quota is caught?” Rhode Island commercial fisherman John Ainsworth told Reuters.
Although 12 NOAA employees were later reinstated following a court order, they were placed on administrative leave, leaving ongoing uncertainty over staffing levels and regulatory oversight.
Industry leaders warn of a “free-for-all” without oversight
The fishing industry is warning that regulatory uncertainty could have long-term consequences. Stock assessments, which are necessary for setting quotas, have been disrupted, raising fears about the sustainability of certain fisheries.
“If these quotas aren’t maintained and regulated and monitored with stock assessments by NOAA, it’s going to become a free-for-all and you’re gonna find existing stocks depleted,” said Christopher Willi, a charter fishing guide and restaurant owner in Rhode Island.
Delayed openings and quota mismanagement not only threaten fish populations but also create economic hardships for commercial fishermen. Linda Behnken, executive director of the Alaska Longline Fishermen’s Association, told Reuters, that delays mean fewer days at sea, less work for crews, and reduced supply to markets.
“No fishery means no work,” she said.
While Trump had previously exempted the fishing and hunting industries from regulatory freezes during his first term, no such exception has been announced for the current freeze.
The White House has stated that reducing regulations is part of a broader effort to combat inflation and drive job growth. However, industry groups and lawmakers have raised concerns that the lack of timely regulatory oversight could harm communities that depend on fisheries.
Alaska’s black cod and halibut fisheries will open as scheduled on March 20, but only after Alaska Senator Lisa Murkowski directly intervened with Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick, according to Reuters. NOAA staff reportedly worked through the weekend to complete the rule-making process needed for the season to process on time.
As fishermen across the country await regulatory clarity, many worry about the long-term consequences of delayed decision-making. “There’s just a lot of confusion right now, both internal and external,” said Ben Martens, executive director of the Maine Coast Fishermen’s Association. “I’m getting calls from fishermen asking what’s going to happen.”
Read the full article written by Valerie Volcovici, Leah Douglas, and Gloria Dickie, here.
