UNITED STATES — The administration of President Donald Trump announced the America First Seafood Strategy on October 23, 2026, outlining plans to strengthen the country’s commercial fishing industry, modernize fishing vessels, increase domestic seafood production, and improve market opportunities for American fishermen.

According to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), the strategy focuses on upgrading fishing fleets, shipyards, ports, cold storage facilities, and seafood processing plants. Federal agencies will also review existing financing programs and simplify permitting procedures to encourage private investment in safer and more efficient American-built fishing vessels.

The initiative also aims to strengthen fisheries management, expand sustainable fishing opportunities, and address unfair competition from foreign seafood imports. Authorities plan to improve monitoring against illegal, unreported, and unregulated fishing while introducing a voluntary “U.S.-Caught Seafood” designation to help consumers identify seafood harvested by American fishermen aboard U.S.-flagged vessels.

NOAA emphasized that the strategy will rely on existing federal programs and legal authorities rather than new government spending initiatives. Implementation will involve coordination among federal agencies, fishing industry representatives, and regional fisheries management councils, with progress measured through domestic seafood production, infrastructure investment, employment, and reduced dependence on foreign supply chains.