An executive order, and our perspective

By John Pappalardo

Amid a flurry of executive orders early in President Trump’s second term, one stood out from here for obvious reasons:

“Restoring American Seafood Competitiveness,” April 17, 2025.

The order invoked language we have come to expect from the White House, as in “(O)ur Nation has the greatest seafood in the world,” while also adopting some content that could have come straight from this office:

“Nearly 90 percent of seafood on our shelves is now imported, and the seafood trade deficit stands at over $20 billion. The erosion of American seafood competitiveness at the hands of unfair foreign trade practices must end.”

The other pillar on which we build, supporting science-based management and habitat protection to build sustainability, was not highlighted. The focus of the order was to direct federal agencies to reduce regulations on commercial fishing in as many ways as possible, as fast as possible. The President also prioritized coming up with strategies to make domestic fish harvests more competitive with foreign landings, end what the order describes as unfair trade advantages to overseas competitors, and keep American fish for home markets rather than export.

This executive order was delivered to every relevant fisheries agency and department. That of course included the New England Fishery Management Council, where I sit as a member, which in turn recommends policy to NOAA (the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration) in the Department of Commerce, where decisions are finalized.

We take this order very seriously, and have been thinking long and hard about what it means and how it could help our fleet and industry. We also take seriously a request for public comment about the content and direction.

Based on that, our Fisheries Policy Director Aubrey Church, who works closely with me on all issues related to fisheries policy at the New England Council (and elsewhere), crafted a lengthy, detailed response. Here are some excerpts and highlights of her thinking, and our positions:

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The Cape Cod Commercial Fishermen’s Alliance recommends that NOAA:

1. Expand cooperative and industry-based surveys that leverage fishermen’s expertise and improve spatial and temporal coverage beyond traditional state and federal surveys.
2. Integrate cost-effective, real-time technologies such as electronic monitoring, vessel-based video/optical surveys, and environmental sensors into assessments
3. Develop protocols and frameworks to allow verified, industry-collected data to be incorporated into stock assessments and models
4. Build trust in collaborative science by treating fishermen as equal research partners

Invest in Real Time Data Systems

1. Support affordable vessel-based sensors and data platforms that allow fishermen to collect and view environmental and catch data in real time
2. Develop streamlined, one-stop reporting systems that combine catch, discards, and environmental data
3. Pilot adaptive management frameworks that incorporate near real-time information to respond quickly to shifting species and ecosystem conditions

Protect and Revitalize Working Waterfronts

1. Prioritize funding for working waterfront preservation and infrastructure improvements
2. Expand options for community-based fishermen, including procurement from small seafood businesses
3. Support workforce training programs for new entrants into the fishing industry

Strengthen Domestic Seafood Markets and Address IUU Fishing (unreported and unregulated imports)

1. Increase investment in seafood infrastructure, processing and supply chain development
2. Prioritize domestic seafood in federal food purchasing programs (including schools, hospitals and food banks)
3. Strengthen enforcement and traceability to prevent illegal IUU imports from undercutting U.S. commercial fishermen who abide by the rules

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We believe that every one of these recommendations would help accomplish the President’s goals, while encouraging a healthy American fishery that can thrive for generations to come. We see these as necessary, crucial steps to transform the intent of an executive order into real action and reform.

The full letter, with more discussion of these topics and our thinking, is available HERE.

John Pappalardo is CEO of Cape Cod Commercial Fishermen’s Alliance