The Trump administration is planning to shut down USAID, a move that experts warn will negatively impact global fisheries and the U.S. seafood industry. Kevin Fitzsimmons, an aquaculture expert, highlights that cutting funding for sustainable fisheries and aquaculture projects will lead to overharvesting and hinder the U.S. seafood sector’s growth. He warns that the lack of trained staff and research investment will set the U.S. further behind competing nations like China and Vietnam. Fitzsimmons also describes severe budget cuts, frozen funds, and project cancellations, leading to layoffs and uncertainty. He criticizes the lack of planning in the decision, leaving potential reimbursements and ongoing projects in limbo.