Leaders in the US aquaculture space spoke about the priority and a focus on “regulatory efficiency” in aquaculture during this year’s Aquaculture America conference happening in Las Vegas.
In February 2026, the Trump administration officially designated domestic aquaculture as a top federal priority, signaling a major push to expand the U.S. seafood industry. Speaking at the 2026 Aquaculture America conference in Las Vegas, Danielle Blacklock, the director of NOAA’s Office of Aquaculture, confirmed that the sector has gained significant momentum within the administration. This shift is part of a broader “America First” strategy aimed at closing the country’s massive seafood trade deficit – currently valued at over $20 billion – by reducing reliance on imports, which currently account for nearly 90% of the U.S. seafood supply.
The administration’s approach focuses on streamlining the regulatory environment and accelerating the development of Aquaculture Opportunity Areas (AOAs) in federal waters. To support these goals, President Trump issued Executive Order 14276, “Restoring American Seafood Competitiveness,” which directs federal agencies to “unburden” the industry from inefficient regulations and promotes a national seafood strategy. Additionally, recent legislative efforts, including the 2026 military spending bill and proposed updates to the Farm Bill, have integrated seafood provisions such as banning military procurement of foreign seafood from certain countries and establishing a dedicated seafood liaison within the USDA to better coordinate federal support for American fish farmers.