Trump Opens Atlantic Ocean Waters to Commercial Fishing

On Friday, President Donald Trump made a proclamation that allows commercial fishing in previously protected waters of the Atlantic Ocean along the East Coast.

This declaration promotes what the White House terms the “America First Fisheries Policy” and reinstates commercial fishing access to all 4,913 square miles of the Northeast Canyons and Seamounts Marine National Monument, which is situated off New England’s coast.

The White House emphasized the president’s pledge to eliminate unnecessary restrictions on U.S. fishermen, with the aim of bolstering the economy, supporting coastal communities, and restoring fairness in an industry they believe is hindered by overregulation and competition from foreign entities.

Trump also shared the announcement on Truth Social, claiming it as “another huge victory for Maine and all of New England.”

It’s worth noting that access to this protected area has fluctuated through three different administrations.

Initially, President Barack Obama established the monument in 2016, banning commercial fishing within its limits. In contrast, Trump rolled back those regulations during his first term, only for President Joe Biden to restore them later.

The White House claims that a ban on commercial fishing is unnecessary for the management of the monument, arguing that many fish species are migratory and already protected by existing regulations like the Magnuson-Stevens Fisheries Conservation and Management Act.

According to Trump, the latest proclamation would benefit New England’s fishing communities by lifting restrictions imposed during the Obama-Biden era, thus promoting economic growth and creating jobs in coastal regions.

Trump has frequently criticized the monument set up by Obama, which aimed to protect fragile underwater ecosystems. He asserted that during his first term, he repealed the commercial fishing bans, only for Biden or someone associated with him to foolishly restore them.

“From day one, I have taken historic action to end these disastrous policies,” Trump noted.

John Williams, president of the Atlantic Red Crab Company, expressed the sentiment shared by many in the fishing community, saying, “We should be rewarded, not punished.” He believes that sustainable fishing can indeed be achieved and maintained over time.

Conversely, environmental organizations have raised concerns about the potential risk to marine ecosystems posed by reopening the area for fishing. Gib Brogan, from the group Oceana, emphasized that the monument was established to provide strong protection for diverse marine species living in these unique habitats.