Commercial Fishing and America’s Food Security
As someone who has spent a lifetime working on the water as a commercial fisherman, I currently serve as the President and Chief Strategist of the New England Fisheries Management Association (NEFSA). Our organization represents the interests of fishermen and their families across the North Atlantic and New York Bay, along with chambers of commerce and anyone who supports wild-caught seafood in America. I advocate for all those who rely on these waters daily and the communities built around them.
We understand the ocean’s current state firsthand, not just from reports that emerge months later. Yet, it seems that policy often favors theory over actual experience, emphasizing paperwork over tangible outcomes. Fishermen aren’t just statistics; we feel the effects of every decision made in Washington. Policies can either enhance fishing safety or lead to mismanaged fish stocks, potentially driving U.S. fishermen out of the industry.
Recognizing U.S. Wild-Caught Seafood
Looking toward 2026, it’s crucial to recognize that U.S. wild-caught seafood is vital to America’s food security. The U.S. is home to one of the world’s most productive marine food sources, and it’s commercial fishermen who ensure that this country meets the highest standards for food quality.
Challenges from Imported Seafood
At the same time, we’re faced with intense competition from cheaper imported seafood flooding the American market, often jeopardizing local harvesters. A significant amount of this imported seafood is produced in regions with lax environmental and labor standards but marketed as fresh and sustainable. Meanwhile, American fishermen who follow regulations are being increasingly sidelined.
Domestic food producers, including farmers, are acutely aware of this struggle. Regulations that American fishers adhere to don’t apply to these imports, putting local producers at a disadvantage. Just like our farmers, commercial fishermen are essential to national resilience. New food policies should work to bolster and safeguard domestic seafood production, allowing U.S. fishermen to meet U.S. consumer demand without compromise.
The Threat of Offshore Wind Power
It’s contradictory to claim that we support domestic seafood and food security while allowing an industrial takeover of our oceans through offshore wind projects. These developments destroy habitats, displace fisheries from traditional locations, and introduce permanent hazards into working waters. It’s like setting a field ablaze and calling it progress.
From the outset, commercial fishermen have warned that these projects would compromise safety. Offshore wind can degrade ocean radar systems and disrupt critical search and rescue operations, along with military defense capabilities. If these systems fail offshore, lives could be in jeopardy. Moreover, the infrastructure that causes these disruptions should not be located in working waters or areas critical to national security.
Once established, the damage becomes irreversible. Taxpayer funds should not contribute to eliminating American fishing jobs just to allow foreign energy and private equity companies to industrialize our vital waters.
Addressing Groundfish Issues
New England’s groundfish fishery is currently in distress. Fishermen face catch fluctuations that swing from abundance to scarcity, often due to outdated data and incomplete surveys. Fish may be plentiful one year but nearly nonexistent the next—not because they are missing, but because research fails to reflect the reality.
When fisheries close unexpectedly, fishermen can’t just pivot. If other fishing areas aren’t accessible, boats remain docked, crews are sent home, and coastal businesses suffer—even when fish stocks are healthy.
Restoring Confidence through Better Research
To rebuild trust, we need improved evaluations. Better science means moving beyond disconnected models and focusing on industry-based, collaborative research where fishermen work closely with scientists over time. For example, on the West Coast, industry-chartered vessels have been partnering with scientists for decades to refine research, reduce uncertainty, and provide more dependable management outcomes.
The Path Forward
The choice before the nation is clear. We can continue sidelining American commercial fishermen and favoring imports and industrial ocean initiatives, or we can embrace the direction laid out by the president’s executive orders and prioritize American food producers. Under President Trump’s leadership, the government acknowledged that domestic seafood production is vital for national interest, economic resilience, and food security.
Commercial fishermen are prepared to respond. With a clear vision from the White House and policies grounded in actual experience, we can protect and enhance sustainable fisheries, restore active waterfronts, and make American seafood a cornerstone of our food supply once again. We’re determined to roll up our sleeves and contribute to feeding America while setting a global example.
