Fishing and seafood voices unify behind industry priorities
Brunswick, Maine — The Fishing Communities Coalition today announces the release of a letter addressed to Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick and Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins, signed by 170 fishing and seafood businesses, organizations, and individuals hailing from 98 coastal communities in 22 states. The letter details the short- and long-term priorities of the U.S. commercial fishing industry and offers strategies for the Trump administration to address market challenges, reduce instability and unpredictability, and make targeted, strategic investments in the success of U.S. fisheries.
“The U.S. commercial fishing industry is both complex and specialized, with immense untapped potential,” said Ben Martens, executive director of the Maine Coast Fishermen’s Association. “We are sending this letter to familiarize the new Trump administration with our industry, as a unified voice among hundreds of small businesses across the nation. We’ve identified the keys to success in harvesting the healthiest proteins on the planet and ensuring they reach the tables of our fellow Americans.”
“Our small-boat fishing families in Alaska are committed to producing the highest quality fish for you to feed your family,” said Linda Behnken, executive director of the Alaska Longline Fishermen’s Association. “Expanding our industry’s access to USDA programs, on par with land-based food producers, will put more of the healthiest, most sustainable seafood available onto American dinner plates. We can improve the health of our nation and sustain thousands of community-based American fishing jobs if we work together.”
“Commercial fishermen are the backbone of America’s food supply and a driving force behind strong, blue-collar job creation. Every day, we rise before dawn, brave the elements, and put in the kind of honest, hands-on work that keeps our nation fed with a healthy, sustainable source of domestic protein,” said Eric Brazer, deputy director of the Gulf Reef Fish Shareholders’ Alliance. “This letter demonstrates a unified voice around shared priorities of this critical industry that contributes to an economy that rewards hard work, self-reliance, and ingenuity.”
“We believe that change is best implemented thoughtfully and incrementally to enhance the federal government’s effectiveness without undermining its foundational responsibilities, which include protection of life, property, and public resources,” said Michelle Stratton, executive director of the Alaska Marine Conservation Council.
“Our industry has invested considerable effort into developing economic programs that are vital for our success,” said Aubrey Church, policy director for the Cape Cod Commercial Fishermen’s Alliance. “Without the support of programs like Sea Grant and the Young Fishermen’s Development Act , we would encounter even greater challenges in sustaining thriving coastal economies. We urge the administration to collaborate with our industry to ensure that these critical investments in American seafood continue.”
The letter asks the Commerce and Agriculture Secretaries to boost domestic seafood markets, combat global seafood bad actors, prioritize business stability and predictability, reduce unnecessary regulatory burdens, and invest in stable and prosperous fishing businesses and communities. It specifically requests, among other things:
that the Secretaries work with commercial fishermen and seafood businesses, Congress, and their staff to enhance fishermen’s and seafood producers’ access to USDA programs that will strengthen American fisheries and seafood.
that USDA and NOAA focus on boosting domestic wild seafood production and investing in and prioritizing research that benefits our industry.
that NMFS reforms be focused on strengthening participatory governance and management of America’s ocean resources, with priority for stability, fixing broken fish survey systems, integration of fisherman-generated cooperative research data, and strong fiscal investments in the success of our industry.
that the Secretary of Commerce ensures the normal function of the Regional Fishery Management Councils and the fishery management process so American fishermen can continue to work.
that the Secretaries ensure the fishing industry’s continued access to life-saving weather data, crew safety training programs, workforce development initiatives like the Young Fishermen’s Development Act program, and Sea Grant.